copyright © 2017 by wvcsb...her father-in-law into getting her pregnant (genesis 38). who was that...

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WrittenforWestVirginiaPublishedbyTheWestVirginiaConventionofSouthernBaptists

28MissionWayScottDepot,WV25560

U.S.A.Unlessotherwiseindicated,scripturequotationsarefromtheESV®Bible(TheHolyBible,EnglishStandardVersion®),copyright©2001byCrossway,apublishingministryofGoodNewsPublishers.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.Alsoused:TheChristianStandardBible.Copyright©2017byHolmanBiblePublishers.Usedbypermission.Christian

StandardBible®,andCSB®arefederallyregisteredtrademarksofHolmanBiblePublishers,allrightsreserved.

StrengtheningandsendingchurchestomakeJesusknowninandthroughWestVirginia

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DEDICATIONEverySingleDay

T THE 2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF THEWEST VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF SOUTHERNBAPTISTS, CONVENTION PRESIDENT RON MCCOY, DURING HIS PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS,

DECLARED,"THERE'SNOREASONWESTVIRGINIACANNOTBETHEEPICENTEROFREVIVALINOURNATION."Apart of seeing this revival take place iswhenGod’s people connect every single day

withGod’sWord.Thisyear’sdevotionalisdedicatedtothreeindividualswhopassedawayandwentonto

bewiththeLordinthepastyear,includingRon,whowereinstrumentalindevelopingandencouragingthespiritualandmissionalclimateofWestVirginia:

RonMcCoyservedasPresidentoftheConventionandasDirectorofMissionsfortheUpperOhioValleyBaptistAssociation.David Mellquist served as Director of Missions for the Monongahela BaptistAssociation.Shirley Finley served as a member of the WVCSB Executive Board and wasinstrumentalinmissionseducationandpromotionthroughoutWestVirginia.

MayGod’sSpiritbepouredoutonuseverysingleday.-WestVirginiaConventionofSouthernBaptists

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DECEMBER23Matthew1:1

AVEYOUEVERHADARELATIONSHIPWITHSOMEONEWHOWAS100%RELIABLE?SOMEONEWHOHASNEVERLETYOUDOWN?

How about someone who has always been completely truthful with you? Or neverwrong?ThefactisthatnooneisperfectinkeepingtheirpromisesbuttheBiblegoesoutofitswaytodemonstratethatGodalwayskeepshisWord.Infact,eventhoughGodisall-powerfulthereisonethinghecannotdo.Hecannotlie(Titus1:2).God does not have the ability to act outside of his character. If he promises to do

somethingwecanbesurethatitwillhappenbecauseheneverliesasthesovereignLordoverallcreation,hehasthepowertoensurethatitwillhappen.In the Old Testament, we see Godmaking two prominent promises to Abraham and

David.HepromisedAbrahamthathewould(1)givehisphysicaldescendantspermanentpossession of the Holy Land, (2) that he would bless those descendants and (3) thatpeople who blessed his descendants would be blessed and people who cursed hisoffspringwouldbecursed.GodalsopromisedthatthroughAbraham’sseed(singular)theentireworldwouldbeblessed.In2Samuel7,GodpromisesDavid thatoneofhisdescendantswouldruleover Israel

forever and that the Jewish people would someday live in the promised land and bedisturbedbytheirenemiesnomore.It’s no accident that Matthew begins his gospel with these words, “The book of the

genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (1:1). Matthew issendingthesignalthateverysentenceinhisletteristheretodemonstratehowGodisintheprocessoffulfillinghispromisestoAbrahamandDavidthroughtheGod-Man,ChristJesus.

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DECEMBER24Matthew1:18-25

EOFTENSPEAKOFTHEGREATMIRACLEBYWHICHJESUSCAMEINTOTHEWORLDASTHEVIRGINBIRTH,THOUGHWESHOULDPERHAPSSPEAKINSTEADOFTHEVIRGINCONCEPTION.

Jesus’ birth into this world was actually quite natural and normal. However, Jesus’conceptioninthewomboftheVirginMarywassupernatural—theworkoftheHolySpiritalone inMary. Just asGod’sSpiritwas atworkwhenGod created theworldwhen therewasnothing,sotooGod’sSpiritcreatedsomethingfromnothinginMary’swombinthebeginningofthegospel.TheGospelofMatthewtellsusthatbeforeMarywasmarriedtoJoseph,shewas“foundtobepregnant throughtheHolySpirit” (1:18).Andthismiraclechangeseverything!ThevirginconceptionmeansthatJesuswasnotsimplyaholymanwhobecameagod.It

alsomeansthatJesuswasnotanotherworldlyghostwhojustappearedtobeamanwithalotofgoodthingstoteachus.ThevirginconceptionmeansthatthebabyborntoMary,Jesus ofNazareth,was fullyGod and fully human at the same time, yetwithout sin.Asfully human Jesus is able to go to the cross in our place, as our substitute, to pay thepenalty that our sin deserves. As fully God Jesus’ death and resurrection constitute thevictory of God over sin, death, and the devil. The Christmas miracle is God’s ultimateanswertoalltheevil,injustice,andsufferingthatweseearoundus.The virgin conception also tells us something significant about our salvation. Our

salvationisentirelybygracewithouthumaneffort.GodtakestheinitiativeapartfromanyhumanefforttosendusJesuswhowillsaveusfromoursins.Whatamiracle!

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HATWASTHEBESTGIFTYOURECEIVEDTODAY?DIDTHEGIFTSYOURECEIVEDTELLYOUSOMETHINGABOUTHOWOTHERSPERCEIVEYOU?

Howabout the gifts you gave to others?What did your gift communicate about yourloveforthem?InMatthew2weseethewisemencomingtopresentbabyJesuswithgifts.Eachtellsus

alittleabouthowthesemenvaluedtheChristChild.Goldwasagiftfitforaking.Astheancientworld’smostpreciousmetal,agiftofgold

signified that you recognized someone was most valuable. Gold demonstrated thatsomeonehadtherighttorule.Frankincense, a form of incense, was an expensive gift used in worship. In Judaism,

incense was used to anoint the priests of Israel and was part of the ceremonial praiseofferingtoGod.ThisgiftwasasignrecognizingthatJesuswasborntobeapriest.Itmayevenhavedemonstratedthischilddeservedtheirworship.Myrrhwas a peculiar gift to give a newborn.Myrrhwas an incredibly costly ointment

that was used for embalming the most affluent after their death.Whereas giving Jesusgold signified that he came to rule, and frankincense symbolized that hewould becomeour great high priest,myrrh demonstrated that this childwas born to die. AsGentiles,howwouldtheMagi(theWiseMen)knowthatthiswasthedestinyofthebabyJesus?ThesemenwouldhavebeenfamiliarwithOldTestamentprophecies.TheMessiahwould

be a king (2 Samuel 7) and that theMessiahwould be a great high priest (Psalm 110,Zechariah. 6). But Isaiah 53 gives an even more explicit account of how the Messiah,throughdeath,wouldbearoursinsandserveasthesufferingSaviorofusall.TheMagiknewwhoJesuswasthesamewaywecan:bystudyingtheScriptures.WhatgiftwillyougiveJesustoday?

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ODCANUSEANYONETOACCOMPLISHHISWILL.HISGRACEISGREATERTHANALLOURSINS.Matthewhighlights fourwomenspanning theancestral lineofAbrahamtoMary

andJoseph.Thinkofallthegodlywomenthatcouldhavebeenincludedinthis list—yetMatthewchoseonlyfour.Tamar (1:3) entered the royalbloodlinebyposing as aprostitute and secretly tricking

her father-in-law into getting her pregnant (Genesis 38). Who was that father-in-law?Judah,sonofJacobandgreat-grandsonofAbraham,theheadofthelargesttribeofIsrael.JesusisknownastheLionofJudahasaresultofthatillicitaffair.Rahab(1:4)didn’thavetoposeasaprostitute,shereallywasone(andaCanaanite,no

less!). One can only imagine her original motive for inviting Joshua and Caleb to herapartmentwhilethepeopleofJerichosearcheddesperatelyforthehiddenspies.Throughherinteractionswiththem,herheartturnedtofaith(Hebrews11:31).Ruthisprobablytheleastdisreputableofthefourwomen,butherplaceisconspicuous

as well. Ruth came from theMoabite people, an incestuous group that were forbiddenfrom intermarrying with faithful Jews. TheMoabites were known for child-sacrifice andworshipping the most violent of gods. Yet here is this woman who renounced herheritage,demonstratedextremeloyaltytoherJewishmother-in-law,andfellintothearmsthemanwhowouldbecomeKingDavid’sgreat-grandfather,Boaz.Bathsheba, the adulterous wife of Uriah, came to Jesus’ lineage through a series of

eventsthatculminatedinthemurderofherhusbandattheorderofKingDavid.InalloftheHebrewBible,thestoryofDavidandBathshebaisprobablythemostscandalous.IfGodcanusethesefourladieswiththeirchallengingpasts,wecanbeassuredthathe

canstilluseallofus.

QDECEMBER27Matthew2:13-23

UICK!WHAT’SYOURFAVORITEQUOTEFROMJOSEPH,EARTHLYFATHEROFJESUS?THINKHARD.OnarecentworldwidesurveyoffamoushistoricalfiguresfromtheBible,Jesus

wasnumberone,hismotherMarywasnumbertwo,andJosephwasnumberthree.OtherthanJesus,JosephisthemostfamousmanintheBible.Yetmostcan’tcomeupwithonethinghesaid.InMatthew1,JosephgetswordthatMaryispregnantwithsomeoneelse’schild.Atfirst

heplannedtobreakofftheirengagementquietlybutanangel informedhimthatMary’sbabywasofGodandthatJosephshouldmarryherandraisethechildashisown.Withoutsayingaword,Josephembracesthescandalthatmayhavecomewithmarryinganunwedmother-to-beandfaithfullyobeysGod’scommand.In Matthew 2, after the birth of Jesus, an angel warns Joseph that King Herod is

searching to kill the Christ child. Immediately, Joseph rises up, grabs his family andevacuatesBethlehem.After Herod’s death, we read of an angel instructing Joseph to take the now toddler

JesusandraisehiminthelandofIsrael.Inkeepingwithhischaracter,therighteousandfaithfulJosephobeys,gathersuphiswife,sonandafewpossessions,andmakesthelongtrekbacktoNazareth.TherehewouldfaithfullyraiseJesusforatleastanotherdecade.Butthere’sonethingwedon’tseecomingfromJosephthroughoutthegospels:words.

That’s the reason you couldn’t come up with a quote from Joseph, the Bible doesn’trecordevenonewordfromhismouth.I’msureJosephhadmanyinstructivewordsforhiswifeandson,butthat’snotwhatthe

Bible emphasizes. Instead,we see the highlighting of his obedience. God didn’t need averboseman to raise his Son but he did require an obedient one. Let’s not forgetGoddesires obedience more than words. Like Joseph, if we love God, we will obey hiscommandments.

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THER THAN JESUS,WHOWAS THE GREATEST MAN IN THE BIBLE? NOAH? ABRAHAM?MOSES?DAVID?

All these men did mighty things for God but Jesus says there was someone greater.“Truly, I say to you, among those born ofwomen there has arisen no one greater thanJohntheBaptist”(Matthew11:11a).JohntheBaptistservedasthechiefprophettoannouncethecomingofJesus.TheBook

ofLuketellsus that JesusandJohntheBaptistwererelativesand likelykneweachothersince birth. Johnwas bornwith the task of preparing the nation of Israel tomeet theirMessiah,Jesus.ButasgreatasJohntheBaptistwas, inMatthew3,weseeJohntellingthepeoplethat

hewasnotevenworthy to carry Jesus’ sandals. Jesuswasmore than just aman;hewasmorethanaking.HewasmorethanjusttheJewishMessiah;Jesuswasthecreatoroftheuniverse.JesuswasGodintheflesh.AsJesuswascreatorofallthings,JohnwarnedthepeoplethattheMessiahwouldhave

the authority tobaptize - to fully immerse - people in theHolySpirit and fire (Matthew3:11). Ifweaccept JesusasourSavior,hewill forgiveusofoursinsandgatherustobewithhiminheavenwhenwedie.Ifwedonotreceivehisforgiveness,hewillimmerseusinunquenchablefire(Matthew3:12;13:41-42).John the Baptist’smessagewas both grace and judgment.He calls on his listeners to

repent(orturn)fromtheirsinsandtocometoGod.Whatsinsdoyouneedtoturnfrom?Ifyouhaven’tcometoGodandaskedhimforforgiveness,cometohimrightnow.Byhisgrace,hewillgiveyouthepowertowalkawayfromthosesinsandwalkfaithfully inhislove.

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FYOUASKPEOPLEWHYSOMEONENEEDSTOBEBAPTIZED,MOSTWILLSAYITDEMONSTRATESTHATTHEIRSINSHAVEBEENWASHEDAWAY.

Butifthatistheprimaryreason,thenwhydidJesusgetbaptized?Didheneedhissinswashedaway?Ofcoursenot!Jesusneversinned(John8:46;Heb.4:15;2Cor.5:21;etal).Yet inMatthew3,wesee Jesuscoming to John theBaptist tobebaptized in theRiver

Jordan. Jesus said his baptism was necessary to “fulfill all righteousness.” But if Jesusdidn’tneedtodemonstratethathissinswerewashedaway,whywasthisnecessary?Theanswer lies in theprimarypurposeofbaptism. Jesuswill tellhisdisciples that all

authorityhasbeengiventohimandthereforetheyshouldgoforth“baptizinginthenameoftheFather,andof theSon,andoftheHolySpirit”(Matthew28:19).Tobebaptized inthenameofsomeonemeansthatyouareundertheirauthority.WhenJesusgetsbaptizedbyJohntheBaptist,weseeapictureofallthreemembersof

theTrinityworking together.TheHolySpiritdescendson Jesus likeadoveandGodtheFather verbally proclaims that he is pleased with his Son. By being baptized, Jesusdemonstrates that he is coming in the name of, and in submission to, the will of hisFather. That’s the primary meaning of baptism. It’s to demonstrate we are under theauthorityofsomeoneelse.WearecommittedtoobeyallthatJesuscommandsustodo.Thank God that he washed my sins away, and to a certain extent, my baptism

represented that as well (Acts 22:16). But baptism demonstrates when someone trulycomes to Christ, they are not just asking for forgiveness, they are placing every area oftheirlifeunderChrist’sauthority.WhatareaofyourlifedoyouneedtosubmittoChristtoday?

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FTERFORTYDAYSOFPRAYERANDFASTINGINTHEWILDERNESS,THEDEVILHITJESUSWITHALLTHATHEHAD.

First, thedevilknew Jesus’ fleshwasweakandhe tempted Jesuswithusinghisdivineabilities for physical pleasure. “Turn this stone into bread” (4:3). For the person whocreatedtheuniverseoutofnothing(Colossians1:16),thiswouldhavebeenaneasytask.But Jesusdoesn’tmakedecisionsbasedon thewhimsorwillofouradversary, even if itwouldbeforhisownbenefit.JesusremindedthedevilthathissustenancecamefromwithWordofGod.Next, Satan tempted with a provocative statement, “If you are the Son of God ...”

Calmly,Jesusrepliesthathedoesn’tneedGodtoprovehimselfinordertoknowthathisFatherloveshim.Finally,thedeviloffersJesuseverythingtheworldhastooffer.SatanturnedJesus’gaze

to all the kingdoms of the world in hope that Jesus’ focus would be on earthly thingsinsteadoftheGodwholovedhim.Onceagain,JesusrebukesthedevilwithScriptureanddemonstratesallthathedesiredwasapurerelationshipwithhisFather.Each of Jesus’ rebukes began with “It is written.” Each came from the book of

Deuteronomy.WhatifyourspiritualsurvivaldependedonyourknowledgeoftheBookofDeuteronomy?Ifanyoneinthehistoryoftheplanetwouldhavetheauthoritytostatehisownopinion,itwouldhavebeenJesus,yethechosetoquoteScripture.NeverdoubtthepowerofspeakingGod’sWordwhenfacingtemptation.Ifyouthinkaboutit,everysinhasitsrootinwhatJesuswastemptedwithhere:thelustoftheflesh,theprideoflife,andthelustoftheeyes(1John2:16).Butaspowerfulasthesesinsare,God’sWordisgreater.

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HEGOALOFEVERYFIRSTCENTURYJEWWASTOHAVEASONWHOWOULDBECOMEARABBI,THATIS,ATEACHEROFTHEWORDOFGOD.

InordertoforyourchildtobecomeaRabbi(themodernequivalentwouldbeseminaryprofessorwithaPh.D.),someRabbimustchooseyoursontobecomehisdiscipleattheage of 14. From there the young man would basically go to Bible college, doingeverythinginhispowertomimictherabbiwhodiscipledhim.Adisciplewalkedwherehisrabbiwalked,studiedwhathisrabbistudied,evenatewhathisrabbiate.Hegoalwastobecometheperfectcloneofhisrabbi.EachRabbihadhisownsetofrulesthathisdiscipleshadtofollowknownastherabbi’s

“yoke.” In addition to the rules set forth in Scripture, the rabbiwould say, for example,“Herearemysetof100rulesinadditiontowhatTorahteachesyou.”Themorerules,themoreyoushowedyourselftobeatruediscipleandloverofGod.WhenJesuscallshisdisciples,mostofthemwereolderthan14.Thisdemonstratesthat

nootherrabbichosethem.Theyweren’tgoodenough.Theyweren’tconsidered,notevenbyonerabbi, tobesmartenough,disciplinedenough,committedenough.Theyweren’t“enough.”ButJesussawsomethinginthoseyoungmenthatalltheotherrabbisrejected.Hesaid

theotherrabbismadethingstoodifficult.Theywereaddingalltheseman-maderulesthatreallydidn’tmattertoGod.Hisyokewaslight.JustfollowtheWordofGod.AsweenterintotheNewYear,restinthefactthatJesus’yokeisnotheavy.Hedoesn’t

expectustobe“goodenough”toentertheKingdomofGodonourown.Likethestrongox,hecarriedtheweightofthelawonhisshoulders.Byfaithinhim,weareempoweredtofollowtheteachingsofScripture.Noman-maderulesadded.

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JANUARY1Matthew5-7

HAT’STHEGREATESTSERMONYOU’VEEVERHEARD?ICANRECALLAFEW.BUTTHEBESTONEWE’LLFINDISINMATTHEW5-7.

In it, Jesus gives his “yoke.” In the sermon on themount, Jesus teaches his discipleswhatittakestobehisdisciple.Jesus contrasts the Pharisaical focus on outward behavior with God’s concern about

what isgoingon inourhearts.ThePharisees said, “Don’t commitadultery.” Jesus said,“Don’tlust.”ThePhariseessaid,“Don’tmurder.”Jesussaid,“Don’thate.”He sayswehave to forgiveothers likeGod forgivesus.We cannotworry, ourmotives

must always be pure and whatever standard we use to judge others, God will use thatstandardtojudgeus.Here’sthekicker.Hesayswearetobeperfect,justasGodisperfect!We’redoomed!Noneofus,absolutelynoneofuscanmeasureuptothebarsetinthe

sermon on themount. I’m thinking, “But Jesus said that his yokewas light.What he’saskingofusisimpossible!”TowhichJesuswouldreply,“Exactly.Nowyou’vegotit.”ThisiswhyJesussaidcometohimandhe’llgiveusrest.FollowersofChristrealizethat

onlyJesuscanmeetGod’sstandards.Wecan’tlivethislifeonourownpower.“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law… the

righteousnessofGodthroughfaithinJesusChristforallwhobelieve”(Romans3:21–22).By faith inChrist,God’s righteousness is imputed.WhenGodregeneratesourhearts sothatwemightbelieve,healsoattributestheperfectrighteousnessofJesustoussothatwebecome perfect in his sight. Jesus took our sin to the cross “so that in him we mightbecometherighteousnessofGod”(2Corinthians5:21).HappyNewYear!That’sthegreatestsermonofall!

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JANUARY2Matthew8

AYTHEWORD,”THECENTURIONEXCLAIMED,“ANDIKNOWMYSERVANTWILLBEHEALED.”InMatthew8weseeacontrastinfaith.WhiletheJewsstruggledtorecognizeJesus

for who he is, we find a Roman centurion who recognizes Jesus as someone withsupernaturalauthorityoverboth thephysicalandspiritual realm. Jesuspurported to theJewishcrowdashockingexposition,“InallofIsraelIhaven’tfoundsuchfaith!”A few days later, Jesus again demonstrates his authority over all things physical and

spiritualbyremovingdemonsoutoftwomenandplacingthemintoaherdofpigs.Newlypossessedbysuchevil,theswinerandownacliffandintothesea,drowningthemselves.(WelearnfromLuke’sGospelthatnearbyvillagerswereawarethatatleastoneofthese

menhadbeensufferingfromdemonicpossessionforyearsandwasdoinggreatharmtohimself. They could do nothing to help him. They had even tried chaining him up,perhapsforprotectinghimfromhimselfor,morelikely,protectingthemselvesfromhim.)SowhenthevillagersgetwordthatJesushadrelievedthemanofhisdemonicaffliction,

whatwouldyouexpecttheirreactiontobe?Likethatofthecenturion?Woulditbeoneofthankfulness?Sadly,thepeopleweremoreupsetaboutlosingaherdofpigsthantheywereexciteda

manhadbeenreleased fromdemonicoppression. Insteadofcelebratingwith Jesus, theyaskedhimtoleave.Thosepigswereworthmoney.Thesoulsofthemenmeantnothingtothem.Howoftendoweseepeoplevaluepigsmorethanotherpeople?Thesamepeoplewho

protest,“SavetheWhales,”donothingtostaveabortion.Howmanychurchesspendmoreonbuildingsthanonmissions?Aswewalkourwayintotheupcomingyear,let’sbesureourfocusisonpeopleinsteadofpigs.

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JANUARY3Matthew9

FEWYEARSAGOOURCHURCHHOSTEDSOMEOFOURAFRICANMISSIONPARTNERS.THEYWEREATTENDINGONEOFOURSEMINARIESANDSTAYEDWITHUSOVERTHEIREASTERBREAK.

ThesemengrewupinimpoverishedconditionssowewantedtoshowthemsomegoodoldMountaineerhospitality.Eachdaywefedthemsomecountrycookingthentookthemon an excursion. They rode 4-wheelers, shot skeet (they had never even held a gun),jumpedonatrampoline,wenthunting,wentmuddin’inapickuptruck…Thingswetakeforgranted,theyexperiencedforthefirsttime.At the end of the week, one of the Zambian pastors asked me, “Pastor, we have

thoroughlyenjoyedourtimewithyourchurchthisweek.Yourtypicalmeal is likeafeastforus.Butwewerewondering,withallthisabundance,whendoyoutakethetimetofast?Wehavebeenhereaweek,andwehaven’tfastedonce.”SincethattimeIhavevisitedmorethan20countriesandaskednativepastorsaboutthe

practiceoffasting.OnlyintheWestdowefindChristianswhodonotfast.Werarelyskipameal forthesakeofturningourfocustowardGodandprayer. Jesusexpectsustofast.“When you give...” assumes we will give. “When you pray...” assumes we will pray.Doesn’titfollowthatwhenJesusstates,“Whenyoufast...”itassumesfastingonthepartofhis followers? Jesusexplicitly states that afterhisdeath,his truediscipleswill fast, inpart,duetotheirlongingforhisreturn.When is the last time youweremore concernedwithprayer than youwere consumed

withadesireforfood?“Andwhenthebridegroomistakenaway,theywill fast”(Matthew9:15).God,giveusagreaterdesireforyouthanthethingsofthisworld.

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JANUARY4Matthew9:35-38

HATISTHEGREATESTNEEDFACINGTHEWORLDTODAY?WHENWESTOPANDCONSIDERALLOFTHETHINGSTHATAREHAPPENINGAROUNDTHEWORLDTHEREAREPROBABLYA

LOTOFANSWERSTHATCOMETOMIND.Perhapsyouthoughtaboutsomethingwonderful likeworldpeaceoracure forcancer.

World peace and a cure for cancer would indeed be remarkable improvements to ourworldthatweshouldpursue.However,theworldhasaneedthatisgreaterthanacureforcancerandworldpeace.TheworldneedstoknowthatJesusisaSaviorwhodiedfortheirsinssothatwecanbe

restoredtoarightrelationshipwithGod.Yousee,ifwebringaboutworldpeaceorfindacure for cancer, but we do not give people Jesus, then tragically, we have simplymadepeople more comfortable on their way to judgment for their sin. The reality of sin isultimatelywhyJesuslooksonthecrowdsand“hascompassiononthem”(9:36).ButhowdopeoplecometohavearelationshipwithJesus?Nomatterwherepeoplelive

orwhatlanguagetheyspeak,peoplecometoknowJesusbysomeonetellingthemaboutJesus.ThisiswhyJesussays“prayearnestlytotheLordoftheharvesttosendoutlaborersintohisharvest”(9:38).Onetruththisversetellsus isthatGodplanstoaccomplishhisrescuemissionthroughtheprayersofhispeople.HaveyoueverprayedthatmorepeoplewouldgooutintotheworldtotellpeopleaboutJesus?Wouldyoutakesometimenowtopray thatGodwill raise upmore peoplewhowill go out into theworld and tell othersaboutJesus?

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JANUARY5Matthew10

NCHAPTER10OFTHEGOSPELOFMATTHEWJESUSSENDSOUTHISTWELVEDISCIPLESTOGOANDTELLPEOPLE“THEKINGDOMOFHEAVENISATHAND”(10:7).

But before he sends the disciples out he tells them something shocking. He says“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in themidst ofwolves” (10:16).What do youthinkhappenstosheepinthemidstofwolves?Theygeteaten!But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He goes on to tell the disciples they are going to be

beaten,arrested,putontrial,everyoneisgoingtohatethem,andtheyaregoingtosufferterriblysimplyfortellingpeopletheycanbesavedbyJesus.But,believeitornot,thisisnot the most radical thing Jesus tells them. Jesus tells them that all of these evil actspeoplearegoingtocommitareactuallygoingtocausethegospel tospread. Jesussays,“youwill be dragged before governors and kings formy sake.”Why? In order “to bearwitnessbeforethemandtheGentiles”(10:18).Godisteachingusherethatthereisnoamountofevilandrebellionthatcanbedonein

theworld, or to you, that canoverthrowGod’s purposes or overcomeGod’s power.Wesee the greatest example of this truth in the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Thecrucifixion of Jesuswas themost evil act that humanity has ever committed. Yet, in theresurrection of Jesus,God turned this evil act upside down and turned it into themostremarkableeventthathaseveryhappened—oursalvation.ThisiswhyJesuscansaytohisdisciples,andtous,donotfear!Preachthegospelandentrustyourself toJesusbecausehewillbewithyou.

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JANUARY6Matthew12

HEUNPARDONABLESIN.MANYSAYTHATIFSOMEONEDIESWITHOUTFAITHINCHRIST,THATPERSONWILLNOTBEALLOWEDINTOHEAVEN.

While it is true that someonemust have faith inChrist to be forgivenof their sins, itdoes not seem that is what Jesus is specifically addressing in Matthew 12:31-32. Ifrejectingthegospeliswhatisinquestionhere,thenmostofusatonetimewereguiltyofthat“unforgivable”sin.Therearethreeelementstothis“unpardonable”sin.(1)Jesusisphysicallypresent.(2)

Heperformsanundeniablemiraclerightbeforetheireyes.(3)InsteadofrecognizingtheworkoftheHolySpirit,theyattributeittoSatan.Inhisomniscience,Jesusknowsthatifthey reject something that takeszero faith, theywillnever receiveanything that requiresfaith. There’s no other proof he can give other than performing a personal, verifiable,undeniablemiracle rightbefore theireyes.Hedid that,but theygaveglory to their truespiritualfather,thedevil(John8:44).So, is it possible for us to commit that sin today?No. Jesus is not physically present

beforeus.Nomatterwhatsupernaturaleventtakesplacetoday, it takessomeelementoffaithtoknowwhatcausedit.ThePhariseeshadnosuchexcuse!There be a time in the futurewhen Jesus physically returns to the earth and displays

supernatural power in accordance with the Holy Spirit. Just like the Pharisees whoblasphemedtheworkoftheHolySpiritduringJesus’firstadvent,atthesecondcomingofChristthosewhorendertheSpirit’sworktothedevilwillbecondemnedaswell.Whatever this passage means, nearly all Baptist pastors believe that if you sense the

convictionoftheHolySpirit,itisnottoolate.ListentoGod’svoiceandgivehimyourlifetoday.Godisalwayswillingtoreceivetherepentantsinner.

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NTHEFACEOFALLYOURTRIALS,JESUSGIVESHOPETHAT ISGREATERTHANANYTHINGTHISWORLDCANTHROWATYOU.

JesustookPeter,James,andJohnuponamountaintoprayandhewaschangedintoagloriousstate.ThiswasanincrediblevalidationtoPeter’sconfessionjustearlierofJesusastheMessiahaswellasanencouraging“sneakpeek”oftheChristian’sfuture.So,whatissignificantaboutthisoccasion?Itgiveshope.Hopethatisdirectlyputinthe

person of Jesus. The week this happened we see Jesus teaching his disciples about hisupcomingsufferingand thecostof followinghim.Thishad tobeaverysoberingweek.Pain and suffering are guaranteed to come.Not only for Jesus, but to those that followhim.Thediscipleswere facedwith thequestion,“will you takeupyourcrossand followme?” This was a call to die then as much as it is for us today. Asmuch as we can beassuredoftrialstocome,wecanbeevenmoreassuredofourhopetocome-Jesus.Jesus revealshimself to themas thegloriousMessiah.What adoseofhope thismust

have given thedisciples as they see Jesusmore accurately forwhohe truly is.Whatevertrial youmay be going through, look to Jesus the risenKing.God is not blind to yoursituation, ratherhe is orchestrating it to showyou a glimpseofwhohe ismore clearly.HowdoyouneedtoseeJesusdifferentlytodayasyourhope?Don’tfocusonyourfear,failures,andcircumstances.FocusonJesus.“Andwhentheylifteduptheireyes,theysawnoonebutJesusonly”(17:8).

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HADBEENABELIEVERFORMANYYEARS,BUTNOTHINGLIKETHISHADEVERHAPPENEDTOME,ORMYFAMILY.Whenmywifebecamesicka fewyearsago,my faithwasshaken.Thesesituationswill

dooneof twothings–driveyou toyourknees,orpushyouaway fromGod.My familychose to believe and pray. Over a six-year period, we saw answered prayers, andexperiencedGod’smiracles.We believed thatGodwas on the throne, andmywifewasundertheprotectionofGod’shand.Inthisbiblicalstory,thediscipleswereunabletohealamanwhowasdemonpossessed

andcontinuallyfellintothewater.Theman’sfathercomestoJesusandsays,“Lord,havemercyonmyson…Ibroughthimtoyourdisciplesbuttheycouldnothealhim.”Itwasalmost like the miracle police were telling on them! After Jesus healed the boy, thedisciples came to Jesus and askedwhy they were unable to drive out the demon. Jesussimplyrepliestothem,“Becauseofyourlittlefaith.Fortruly,Isaytoyou,ifyouhavefaithlikeagrainofmustardseed,youwillsaytothismountain,‘Movefromheretothere,’anditwillmove,andnothingwillbeimpossibleforyou”(17:20).This verse has frequently burned in my heart as I have reflected upon six years of

miracles. Thoughwe sawmany things happen that no one can explain, God eventuallygavemywiferespite,andanewbodyinheaven.Whydidmyfamilies’prayersnotwork?Why did she have to go through those trials, only to end in her imminent death? Myfamilystilldoesnotknowtheanswertothatquestion,butIwilltellyouwestillbelieveinhealing,evenifitisinheaven.Don’tlettheworldshakeyourfaith.Youoflittlefaith:keeponbelieving,keeptrusting,andkeeppraying.

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JANUARY9Matthew18

ATTHEW 18 ISAGREAT PICTUREOFWHAT THEDAILY LIFEOFA CHRISTIANAND THECOMMUNITYOFGOD’SPEOPLESHOULDLOOK.

Sinandpride (18:1-9).Temptations areopportunities togrow in faith andobedience toJesus.It’snotasintobetempted,butitisasintoactonthattemptation.Wemustbeonguardagainstsinandberealwiththefactthatwedosinattimes(sodon’thideit).Prideis a horrible sin that we all fall to in various ways. Pride takes your eyes off God’sgreatness and focuseson self. (“Who is the greatest?”)Ournatural tendency is to thinkthatwe’re“OK”anddon’tneedhelp.Weallneedhumilityinourlives.HumilityisagiftfromGod(nomatterhowitcomes).Repent (18:10-14). Jesus (the Good Shepherd) goes after his sheep that go astray.We

havealovingGodwhopursuesyouandIevenwhenwesin.WhenconfrontedaboutsinbytheHolySpiritdirectlyorthroughfellowbelievers,don’tbemadthatyou‘gotcaught’,ratherrejoicethatyouarebeingloved.Theonlywaysinisdealtwithproperlyiswhenitisbroughtintothelight.Acalltorepentisalovinggift.Forgiveness (18:15-35). Just as God in Christ forgives you, you are to forgive others.

When the condition to forgive is “as Christ forgives you,” then there’s hope to be freefromanger,bitterness,resentment,andcontrol.Doesthiscyclecharacterizeyourlife?Yourchurch?Whodoyouhaveinyourlifetooffer

thesegiftsandcallstoyou?Have(orfind)someonetobethistoyouasyoushouldbetothem.

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JANUARY10Matthew19

HENWELOOKATTHETRACKRECORDOFGODTHROUGHOUTHISTORYWECANCLEARLYSEEANDTRUSTTHATHEWAS,IS,ANDWILLALWAYSBECOMPLETELYFAITHFUL.

WhenwelookatthetrackrecordofhumanityyoucanclearlyseethatyouandIarenotcompletely faithful and obedient. The greaterwe see this gap of faithfulness the greaterouraweofwhatJesusdidforusshouldgrow.Jesususesmarriagetorevealourhardhearts.JustlikeinthetimesofMosesandJesus,

divorce runs rampant today because we are unfaithful. What hope does an unfaithfulfriendorspousehave?Jesus.Jesusisthefaithfulfriendandhusbandthatwearenot.HisSpirit is in you and empowers you to become more faithful. If marriage requiresfaithfulness,thenthepeoplesaid,“itisbetternottomarry.”Theproblemisn’tmarriage,it’sunfaithfulhearts.Jesus also turns to a rich young rulerwho is considered amorally ‘good person.’He

claimedtoobeyalltherules,yetwhenJesusaskedhimtosellhisstuffandfollowhim,heleftsorrowful.Wemaythinkwecandoenough‘goodworks’toearnGod’sfavor,butwecannot.Yourexternalactionsaredrivenfromyourinternalheart.Seeingthis,thedisciplesthenasked,“Whothencanbesaved?”No one is perfectly faithful, obedient, and good. This rightly separates us from God.

Jesusisfaithful,obedient,andgood.Hebringsus,undeservedly,backtoGod.It’sonlybyhiswork in you that you can change fromnaturally unfaithful to supernaturally faithful.Salvationbyyourownworkisimpossible;salvationbyJesus’workisassured.“Withmanthisisimpossible,butwithGodallthingsarepossible”(19:26).

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JANUARY11Matthew20

HODOYOUCONSIDERTOBEAGREATPERSON?ACOMPANYCEO?ASPORTSSTAR?AMUSICIAN?WHATISITTHATMAKESTHEMGREAT?

Greatness,bydefinition,istobeaboveaverage,todosomethingwithexcellenceorverywell.Tostrivetobegreatisawonderfulthing.Youshouldstrivetobeagreatemployee,manager,teacher,mom,neighbor,friend,orstudent.As Jesuscontinues toengagewithpeople,wecansee thathespendsmostofhis time

withwhatwouldbeconsideredtheaverageandbelowaveragepeople inthecommunity.Thisgivesusacontrastofwhattheworldwouldconsidergreatpeopleandthosethatarenot.Jesus,throughouttheBookofMatthew,hasbeenshowinguswhathiskingdomwillbelike.Jesusredefinesgreatnessfromonebasedonpower,position,prestige,andprosperity,to

onebasedonhumilityandservice.Whichdictionarydoyoupursuegreatnessfrom?Maywe,hispeople,bemarkedbyhumilityandserviceinourcities.Thinkandprayaboutwaysyoucanbegintohumblyserveyourcitythisweek.Worldlygreatnessismeasuredbyhowmanypeopleareunderyou.Kingdomgreatness

is measured by how many people you lift up. The world values power, Jesus valueshumility. Worldly greatness is about how known your name is. Kingdom greatness isabouthowmuchwemakeJesus’nameknown.As we pursue kingdom greatness, let’s use Romans 12:10 as an awesome challenge,

“Outdooneanotherinshowinghonor.”LookatthepeoplethatGodhasputaroundyouasopportunitiestoshowhonorbyservingandencouraging.“Whoeverwouldbegreatamongyoumustbeyourservant”(20:26).

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JANUARY12Matthew21

EARENOWINTHEPASSIONWEEK-THELASTSEVENDAYSBEFORETHERESURRECTION-OFJESUS’LIFE.

ItbeginswithJesusenteringintoJerusaleminahumbleway.Isthishowakingshouldenterintoacity?Akingshouldenterwithagrandentrance,right?ThepresidenthasAirForceOne.Celebrities have red carpets. Bands have stages and spot lights.What aboutJesus?Noprivate jet.Noredcarpet.Nospot lights.Hecomestohiscityas thehumbleKingonadonkey.Aswewereoncenotcitizensofhiskingdom,therearemany inWestVirginiawhoare

notyetapartofJesus’kingdomeither.PraiseGodthathehasgivenusthisdaytospreadthegoodnewsofJesustothosethathaven’thumblysubmittedtoKingJesus.Humility is required to enter into the kingdom of God. It takes recognizing God’s

holiness and our sinfulness, then looking to the cross as themeans to be reconciled toGod.“Godresiststheproud,butgivesgracetothehumble”(James4:6).IttakeshumilitytorecognizeyoursinandturnfromitandtoJesus.Humility,notpositionorauthority,istheentrancetoJesus’kingdom.Just as thisunworthydonkeywasusedby Jesus to carryhim to Jerusalem,we too (as

Jesus’servants)gettocarrythegospel(thegoodnewsofJesus)throughoutourcitiesandgreatstatewiththecertainhopethatsomewillturntoKingJesus.Whataprivilege.Seeing Jesus as King produces humility. It recognizes his greatness, power, and

authority,notyours.Wheredoyouneedtogrowinhumility?“They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on

them”(21:7).

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JANUARY13Matthew22

ESUS IS NOW IN THE MIDST OF A HEATED DAY OF CONFRONTATION FROM THE RELIGIOUSLEADERS.This is, perhaps, themost clearly exposed contrast between Jesus’ kingdom that he is

buildingandthekingdomofearthlyinstitutions.We see a picture of a king sending out invitations to awedding feast. This raises the

questionofwhodecideswho can join theparty.Thekingdoes.Matthew thenmoves totheauthorityoftheRomanCaesarandpayingtaxes.Thisraisesthequestionofwhoownsanything. Jesusownseverything. Jesusthen isconfrontedaboutarelationaldispute,butJesus shows them their error according to Scripture.God’sWord is true. Lastly, Jesus isasked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus rightly tells them to,“Love the Lord yourGodwith all your heart…” (22:37). Jesuswas being barraged fromvariouspeoplegroupsaboutauthorityandheleftthemallspeechless.Jesusthengoesontheoffensiveandasks,“WhatdoyouthinkabouttheChrist?Whose

son is he?” (22:42). The book of Matthew is aimed at showing Jesus as the promisedMessiah coming from the genealogy of King David. Here Jesus is connecting himselfdirectlytoDavidandleavingthePharisees“unabletoanswerhimaword”(22:46)becauseJesustrulyisthepromisedMessiahthattheOldTestamentwaswaitingfor.What do the people of your city think of Jesus?What are the various authorities and

prevailing cultures that arenot in submission to Jesus?Howcanyoueffectively take thegospelintothosearenas?Don’tgettoocaughtupintheearthlyorganizations/authorities.JesusisLordoverthem

all. What areas might you need to repent of from putting your hope, identity, value,worth,andtrustin?

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JANUARY14Matthew23

NMATTHEW23WESEEAGLIMPSEOFJESUSTHATSHOWSHISLOVEFORPEOPLEANDHATREDOFSIN.TWOPOWERFULEMOTIONSTHATREFLECTGOD’SHEART.

Whatwasthelastthingthatyoumournedover?Whatdoyoucryabout?Whatdoesittakeforyoutobeemotionallymoved?Whatcausesyousleeplessnights?Stopandanswerthosequestionsforyourselfbeforecontinuing.BecauseofGod’sholinessandloveforpeoplehehasahatredforsin.Jesusunleashesa

heavyindictment(SevenWoes)againstthosewhowerenotlovingGodnorpeopleastheywere supposed to. The religious leaders had a system set up that made their livescomfortable, showed them as the authority, and didn’t require them to domuch.Allowthistobeawarningtoyouifyourlifereflectsthesamecharacteristics(comfort,control,pride).ThisiscertainlyapassageofScripturethatcombatsJesusassimplyasoft,gentle,loving, peaceful, non-confrontational person. Jesus lovingly and compassionatelyconfrontsthoseinsin.TheheartofGodisalsodisplayedasJesuslooksoverthecityofJerusalemandlaments.

Jesus weeps over those that reject him. It might be good to go to one of the hilltopsaroundyourcityandsimplygazeuponitandthinkofallthepeoplethatGodhasputyouaround–andweep.Whenisthelasttimeyouweptforpeople?Oversinanditsimpactonpeople’s lives in your city? Over people rejecting Jesus? This might need to become aprayerofyours,“Godsoftenmyhearttohavealoveforpeopleasyoudo.”“O Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen

gathersherbroodunderherwings,andyouwerenotwilling!”(23:37).

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JANUARY15Matthew24

OUWANTTOMAKEEVERYDAYCOUNTFORSOMETHING.YOURPRIORITIESAREREEVALUATEDANDYOURRESOURCESARESPENTTOWARDSTHOSEENDS.

Eachyearyougetolderandthecloseryougettodeath,themoreyouconsidereachdayoflifeasagiftandrealizemorethattomorrowisn’tguaranteed.Aswe’removingthroughMatthew,inacoupledays,Jesuswillbecrucified.Hestartsto

talk about the future. He tells us before his death that our time is not a stopwatchcountingup,ratheritisatimerthatiscountingdown.Timeisrunningout.Jesus begins to clearly teach about signs of the end times.With various signs to look

forwardto,downtoanunknownspecificdayandhour,weareonborrowedtime.The purpose of Jesus comingwas to take thewrath of God for sinners upon himself,

thus making it possible for the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. This isgreatnews foreveryhumanbeing thathasever livedorwillever live.This isonlygreatnews,though,ifpeoplehearit.WiththetimeofJesus’return(andyourdeath)amystery,itshouldfuelourpassionfor

evangelism andmaking every opportunity count to share the gospel. InWest Virginia,morepeoplearedyingthanarebeingborn.About60peoplewilldietoday inourstate.Howmanyofthemareinyourcity?Notknowingwho’lldie,whenthey’lldie,norwhenJesuswillreturn,letthatdriveyourprayersforthelostandpersonalevangelismtothosethatareinyourlifeandcity.Whowillyousharethegoodnewswithtoday?“Butconcerningthatdayandhournooneknows…”(24:36).

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JANUARY16Matthew25

ESUSCONCLUDESHIS FIFTHAND FINALDISCOURSEHERE. THIS ISABOUT BEINGREADY FORJUDGMENT.ThiswillcomeatJesus’returnoratyourdeath.Eitherway,youarealwaystobeliving

inaconstantstateofreadiness.AsyouawaitthereturnofJesus,youaretobeactivelyonmissiontospreadthegospeltothenationsandstewardyourlifeinawaythatlovesGodand the people that he has entrusted to you well. Readiness can be gauged by yourdevotion,stewardship,andmission.DevotionistoloveGodwithallyourheart,soul,mind,andstrength.Thisistoworship

Godforwhoheisandwhathe’sdoneforyou.Thisistoquicklyrepentofsinasitappearsin your life and to continually put your faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus.DevotionistoseekGod’sface.AreyouraffectionsforChristconstantlybeingstirred?Stewardshipishitonherebytheparableofthetalents.Theideaisthatyouaretotake

what God has given you andmake it grow throughwise and faithful stewardship. Godexpects you to be faithful with what he’s entrusted to you: people, jobs, money,possessions, positions…How is your faithfulness to God, your spouse, your kids, yourjob,yourfriends?MissionistellingothersofJesusbeforehereturnsortheydie.Asyoureadthischapter

youneedthedescriptionsofhelltohityouhard.It’sarealplacethatrealpeoplewillgoto.YouhavetheopportunitytobethemeansofgracethatGodusestobringpeopleintohiseternalrest.“Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant…Enterintothejoyofyourmaster”(25:21).

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FYOUKNEWTONIGHTWASGOINGTOBEYOUR LASTNIGHTBEFOREYOUDIED,WHATYOUSPENDITDOING?

JesusspentitsharingamealwithhisdisciplesandinprayertohisHeavenlyFather.Jesusknewhewasabouttobecrucifiedandhasbeentellingthedisciplesthatthiswas

goingtotakeplace.Knowingthathewouldsoonbedesertedbyhisdisciples,betrayedbyone,anddeniedbyanother,Jesusstillchosetodrawclosetothem.TheheartofGodistosavesinners.“Whenitwasevening,hereclinedattablewiththetwelve”(26:20).The Last Supper was full of deepmeaning. It was the transition of Passover from an

annual sacrifice to a remembrance of Jesus as the Passover Lamb who would sacrificehimselfonceforall.Hewasgivinghisdisciplesapreviewofwhatwasabouttohappentohisbodyon the cross.Hisbodywillbebroken like thebreadandbloodspilled like thewine.ItwasalsoanencouragementthatJesuswouldagainshareamealwiththeminthefuture.WealsoseeJesusprayinginthegardenofGethsemane.Whatapictureofhumanfailure

andJesus’faithfulness.Hisclosestfriendsanddisciplescouldn’tkeepwatch,couldn’tpray,couldn’tevenstayawakeinJesusgreatesttimeofneed.Yetthroughit,Jesusfaithfullykeptwatch, prayed to his Heavenly Father, and entrusted himself to his Father. Jesus wasstrengthenedbyGodtheFatherinhisweaknessandabandonmentfromhisfriends.Jesuscanstrengthenyouinyourtimesofweaknessandabandonment.“ThenJesuswentwiththemtoaplacecalledGethsemane,andhesaidtohisdisciples,

‘Sithere,whileIgooverthereandpray’”(26:36).

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JANUARY18Matthew26-27

HEGREATESTHUMANDILEMMAISTHATGODISHOLY,ANDWEARENOT.God is righteous, and we are not. Everyone will admittedly state, “no one is

perfect.”Whilethis istrue,wedon’toftenseehowthisplaysitselfout.Weminimizesintotrytomakeusfeelbetteraboutourselvesthanwetrulyare.Godknowsandcannotbefooled.Wearenotgood.Man’sheartisonfulldisplayhere.Thestageissetfortheveryactthatwouldsplittime

asweknowitinhalf–thecrucifixionofJesus.Inthisact,weseemanycharactersinthisepicstory.Let’sconsiderthecharactersMatthewshowsus:26:3-4ReligiousleadersplottingtokillJesus26:14JudasisseekinganopportunitytobetrayJesus.26:56Jesus’owndisciplesdesertedhim.26:59TheSanhedrinfalsetestimonytoputJesustodeath26:74PeterdenyinghimJesus27:23ThecrowdsshoutingforJesus’crucifixion.27:26PilatedeliveredJesustobecrucified.27:30Romansoldiersmocked,spit,struck,andstrippedJesus.27:44RobberswerecrucifiedwithJesusandreviledhim.Wecannotdisconnectourselvesfromthisstoryasifwewouldneverdothis.Ourhearts

dothesamethingtoday.Haveyoueverhiddenyourfaithinfear?WalkedawayfromtheChurch?Fallentopeerpressure?BlamedGodandbeenangryathim?Beenanunfaithfulfriend?ThankGodforhissavinggracedespiteourwanderinghearts.“Peteransweredhim, ‘Thoughtheyall fallawaybecauseofyou,Iwillneverfallaway’”

(26:33).

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ESUS,KNOWINGHEWASABOUTTOFACETHEGREATESTSUFFERING INALLOFHISTORY,WASPRAYINGINTHEGARDENOFGETHSEMANE.“MyFather,ifitbepossible,letthiscuppassfromme;nevertheless,notasIwill,butas

youwill”(26:39).The reality of what Jesus came to do, to bear the sins of the world, was about to be

fulfilled. Jesusrefers to thisas“drinkingthecup”thatGodtheFatherhad forhim.Whywould Jesus need to drink the cup of God’s wrath?Why would Jesus need to take thepunishmentforsin?Hehadn’tsinned,nordeservedGod’swrath.Thisdoesn’tseemfair!This is not fair, it is grace. Jesus being falsely accused, betrayed, beaten,mocked, and

ultimately crucified on a cross, was not amistake – it was the plan. Jesus said in John12:27, “For this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Whathappened to Jesus on the cross is exactly what was prophesied would happen to theMessiahinIsaiah52-53.Suffering and God’s wrath are also what you and I rightly deserve. We have and do

choosesinat times,we turn fromGod,andcanbecomedepressedwhen thinkingaboutthecurrentstateofWestVirginiaandtheworld.Suffering,asabeliever,though,mustbeseenwithinGod’ssovereignty.SeeyoursufferingasaredeemingtoolinGod’shandthatshowsyouaglimpseofwhat

Jesuswentthroughtorescueyou,theseverityofwhatsindoesinthisworld,thegraceofGodwho iswith you in themidst of it, and a reminder that one day sufferingwill endbecauseofthesufferingthatJesuswentthroughforyou.

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JANUARY20Matthew26:21,34

ATTHEW26GIVESUSTWOEXAMPLESOFPEOPLEDEALINGWITHSINANDGUILT.BothJudasandPeter,justlikeyouandI(Romans3:23),sin.TheybetrayedJesus.

TheworkofGod inour lives is to revealoursin (toshowusourneed fora rescuer)aswell as reveal Jesus to us as the only means of being rescued. Christians should seegrowthinourrepentanceofsinandfaithinJesus.Aslongasthereisbreathinourlungsonthissideoflife,youandIwillcontinuallyhaveopportunitiestochoosetoeithersinorbringGodgloryinourlives.WesinwhenwedoanythingthatgoesagainstGod’snatureandWord.Guiltandshamefollowsin.So,whatarewetodowhenwedoinevitablysin?Howdowedealwithguiltandshame?Judas and Peter give us great examples of the two ways we can deal with sin. Judas

betrayedJesusformoney.SimondeniedJesusoutoffear.First is theway of Judas.We can see our sin against God and rightly feel guilty. The

wagesofsinisdeath(Romans6:26).DeathistheconsequenceofsinfromtheGardenofEden. The death of Judas, to pay for his own sin, is oneway tomake atonement. Thisdeathiseternal.Secondly is the way of Peter. After realizing his sin, he doesn’t lose faith. His sorrow

leadshimtorepentanceandrestorationwithJesus.John21givesusabeautifulpictureofPeter’s restoration. The death of Jesus, to pay for Peter’s (your) sin, is another way tomakeatonement.ThecostofsinwaspaidforonthecrossofJesus.Takeitthere.

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JANUARY21Matthew28

HERESURRECTIONOFJESUSISWHATSEPARATESCHRISTIANITYFROMEVERYOTHERRELIGION.TheMessiahwasprophesiedhundredsof yearsearlier thathewouldbe rejected,

tortured,andkilled.Thishadjusttakenplace,muchtoeveryone’ssurprise.Thiswasthedarkest moment in all of history, when humanity crucified the Messiah. On a spirituallevel,itwouldappearthatSatanandsinhavevictoryoverGod.Oh,howGodhasflippedthescriptthough.“Donotbeafraid,forIknowthatyouseekJesuswhowascrucified.Heisnothere,for

hehasrisen,ashesaid”(28:5-6).Thisverydark,sinfulhumanact,iswhatGodwouldusetobringthelightofhissaving

grace to the very people that rejectedhim.Thatwas you at onepoint.That is someoneelserightnow.Theresurrectionof Jesus fromthedead is thegreatest lightofhopethatcouldevercometothoselivingindarkness.TheresurrectionofJesusiswhatmakessalvationpossibleforyou,me,andeveryonein

WestVirginia.Inthemidstofadarkanddepressedstate,it’sonlythelightofthegospelthatcanbringabouthopeandchange.ThebodilyresurrectionofJesusiswhatgivesrealhope to realpeoplewhoneed to reallybe rescued fromsinand itseffects. Jesus rosesothatwetoowillrisewithhim.WithouttheresurrectionofJesus,wearetobepitiedaboveall,butwithitwearetobe

the most hopeful and joyous of all. This same hope and joy is needed most for yourneighbors,baristas,roommates,co-workers,andprofessors.

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JANUARY22Mark1

NE OF THEMANY ATTRIBUTESMY FATHER HANDED DOWN TOMEWAS AN INCREDIBLERESPECTFORAUTHORITY.

Coming out of a military family, I learned respect for my parents, elders, teachers,pastors,andsupervisors.Ibelievethisisaqualitylackinginmanygenerations.Yes, it is important that oneunderstands authority, but evenmore important to know

where that authority comes. Mark 1 is full of great examples from John the Baptist“proclaiming a baptism of repentance” (1:4). Though John understood his purpose, healsorealizedthefoundationinwhichhisministrywasrooted.“Aftermecomeshewhoismightier than I, the strap ofwhose sandals I am notworthy to stoop down and untie”(1:7).Johnwassuccessfulinwhathepursued,buttheauthorityJohnwasgivenwasevenmoreclearinJohn1:8,“Hewasnotthelight,butcametobearwitnessaboutthelight.”WhataboutJesus?Yes,evenhewassubordinatetotheauthoritygivenhim.TheFather

speaks tohimwithdeeppleasure inhis obedienceof baptism,hewalks loyally into thedesert when the Holy Spirit drove him into the wilderness. The worshipers in thesynagoguealsorecognizedhispoweras theystated,“What is this?Anewteachingwithauthority?”(1:27)“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a

desolate place, and there he prayed” (1:35). Why would the Son of God need to pray?Becauseheunderstoodauthorityandfromwherehisauthoritycame.Ifonecanevergraspthatprinciple,Jesus’power,purposeandplanfortheirliveswillbeevident.

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JANUARY23Mark2

HENIFIRSTBECAMEABELIEVER,IWANTEDTOTELLOTHERSABOUTWHATHAPPENEDTOME.THOUGHIWASNOTTRAINED,ISHAREDMYSTORY.

InMark2,IlovehowmanybroughttheirfriendstohearJesus.IamenviousofthefourmenwhodeterminedtobringtheircrippledfriendtoJesus.Theytriedtogethimthroughthedoor.Because“therewasnomoreroom,”theydecidedtogethertotakehimupontheroof.Thismethodwouldhavebeenpossible becauseof the thatched roofs thatwere soprominentduringthetimeofChrist.Theywouldnottakenoforananswer.“Seeing their faith” (all five of them), Jesus healed the man of his disease, but also

forgavehimofhissin through faithalone.Theparalyticwasnotsavedbecauseofbeinghealed,butrathersavedbecauseofhisfaiththatJesuswouldhealhim.HisconfessionofJesuswastheturningpointofhislife!WhenwasthelasttimethatyouwentoutofyourwaytobringsomeonetoJesus,nottakingnoforananswer?Considerthisillustration:“Amedical doctor attended a conference in a hotel near the ocean. During break, he

lookedoutandsawayoungboythrowingsomethingintheocean.Atnoon,heagainsawtheboythrowingobjectsintotheocean.Thedoctorwalkedoutonthebeachandsawtheboy picking up starfish and throwing them back in the ocean one by one. The doctorasked,‘Whyareyouthrowingthestarfishintheocean,therearehundredsontheshore.What good do you think throwing a fewwillmake?’ The young boy picked up anotherstarfish and threw it in the ocean and said, ‘It will make a difference to this one’“(unknown).

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JANUARY24Mark3

NOUR CULTURE, COLLEGE COLORS ARE IMPORTANT, BUTNOT AS CRITICAL AS KNOWINGONWHICHSIDEOFTHECREATORYOUSTAND.College sports are an amazing phenomenon. In my lifetime I have not encountered

anythingmoredivisivethancollegecolors.IgrewuparoundtheAlabama-Auburnrivalry,whichcansplitthestrongestoffamilies,andprovethickerthanblood!Therewasalsonofenceridingallowed.Itisascaryconcept.Mark3beginstheconfrontationofthegospelduringJesus’ministry.First,thePharisees

went out and started plotting how to destroy Jesus. The demons acknowledged theincarnationoftheMessiahwhenconfronted,“YouaretheSonofGod”(3:11).OnceJesuschosehisdisciples,thepolarityofthegospelbegantoescalate.Hewentto

seehisfamily,andtheysaid,“He’soutofhismind”(3:21).Healsodeclaredthattheonlysin that does not allow repentance is the blaspheme of the Holy Spirit (3:29). Thoughdifficult to swallow, the gospel is inclusive in its love for people, but exclusive in itsdemand for confession. That exclusivity is why Christians in other countries areworshipingunderground, teaching insecret, losing their families,andbeingstrippedofftheirlivelihood.Believers in America have had it easy for quite a long time. Take some time today to

thankGodforthesalvationgrantedtoyou,andthathewaslongsufferingwithyou.Whenthegospelcausesdivisioninyourfamilyorfriendships,becommittedtothetruthandtothepowerithastosaveanyone!“ForIamnotashamedofthegospel,foritthepowerofGod for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”(Romans1:16).

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JANUARY25Mark4

NEOFTHEMOSTUSELESSCLASSESITOOKINCOLLEGEWASBRITISHLITERATURE.I cannot remembermuch about it for two reasons. First, the teacher resembled

someone from an insane asylum. Second, I just needed a class to fulfill a humanitieselective.Badcombination.Thisclassbecamelikeaforeignlanguagetome,andwheneverIwascalledontoparticipateinclass,itwaslikeonewhowasaskedtoexplainthetheoryofrelativitythroughprose.ThischapterbeginstheuseofparablesinMark’sGospel.Thismethodofteachingwasa

commonpracticeofJesusashedealtwiththecrowdsandprivatelywithhisdisciples.Theuse of parables had a two-fold purpose. It was easier for the common person tounderstand the gospelwith a common story, andmade it harder for thosewhose heartwasalreadyhardenedbytheirreligiosity.Beingasimpleguy,Iamgladhespokeinparables,becauseitmakestheScripturevery

personaltomethroughitssimplicity.Oddlyenough,theoneswhoweretheworldlierandspiritually educated had a difficult time grasping the common language of the people.Thismindsetisaresultofcenturiesoflegalism;itbecameaseriesofimprisonedthoughtsonapage.Whenaskedwhyheusedparableswhileteaching,Jesusassuredthetwelvethat“toyou

hasbeengiventhesecretoftheKingdomofGod”(4:11).Forthosewithhardenedheartssawtheparablesasstumblingblocksofrhetoric,“theymay indeedseebutnotperceive,andmayindeedhearbutnotunderstand,lesttheyshouldturnandbeforgiven”(4:12).Inhissovereignty,Jesusalreadyknewthereligiouswouldrejectthegospel.Bethankful

theWordofGodisunderstandableasherevealsittoyou.

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JANUARY26Mark5

HENSOMEONEISEXCITEDABOUTASPECIALDAYORAMILESTONEINTHEIRLIFE,THEREISNOHESITATIONOFTELLINGSOMEONEELSEABOUTIT.

WhenIbelievedIwasgoingtomarrymywife,Itoldmyparents,siblings,friends,co-workers,andthenevenmyacquaintances. Iwasnotashamedofthisnews.Iknewinmyheartthatshewastheone!Many in Scripture had an experiencewithChrist andwere not ashamed to tell others

about him. One such occasion was the demoniac who was found in the region ofGerasenes.Thisman,overtakenbymultipledemons, approached Jesus ashe cameontothe shore. Jesushadnotevensaidanything to this crazyman,buthekneltbefore Jesuswithnopromptingorcoercion.Hethencommencedtosay,“Whatdoyouhavetodowithme,Jesus,SonoftheMostHighGod”(5:7).Thisactionofthedemoniac’sapproachsaidalotaboutJesus’character.A couple of things to remember. First, the demons, nomatter their quantity, had no

poweroverJesusnomatterthescenario.Second,thedemonsbeggedJesustosendthemintothepigs(5:12).ThisshowedthedeityofChrist,andtheauthorityhepossessedoverallcreatedbeings,evenspiritualones.ItisgoodtoknowthattheGodwewillinglyservehaspoweroverthingsseenandunseen.Legion went into the pigs, ran off the cliff, and drowned. The man was immediately

returned tohis rightmind anddressed in appropriate attire.Theman’s response tohisregeneration needs to be emphasized. He went to Decapolis (ten town region) to tellothers“howmuchJesushaddoneforhim”(5:20).KnowingwhatJesushasdoneforyou,when was the last time that you were not afraid to share that news with your parents,siblings,friends,co-workers,andeventuallypeopleoutsideofyourcirclesofinfluence?

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JANUARY27Mark6

NTHE1953MOVIE,“THEROBE,”AROMANSOLDIERNAMEDMARCELLUSHASTAKENPARTINTHECRUCIFIXIONOFCHRIST.

Marcellus has nightmares about Jesus, the robe, the crucifixion, and is under theimpression that the robe ofChrist has cursedhim.He takes a trip back to Jerusalem tofind the robe sohe canbe freedof the apparent curse. In the end,Marcellusbecomesabeliever,andrealizesthesavingpowerwasintheGod-manJesusandnottherobe.There is an interesting verse in this chapter that can be overlooked.When Jesuswent

intovillages,thepeople longedtotouchhisrobetobehealed, just likethewomanwiththe issues frombleeding (5:28). Scripture says that “they implored him that theymighttoucheventhefringeofhisgarment.Andasmanyastoucheditweremadewell”(6:56).Forone tobelieve that Jesus’ robecouldhealwasanamazingactof faith.Thesepeoplehadbeenimprisonedbylegalismforcenturies,butwerenowdesperateforthecomingofthe true King. This King would be able to overcome the Jewish law as well as Romantyranny.According to the Law, diseasewas associatedwith sin present in your life. Thisteachingcausedmany toquestion thebelief systemtheyhad followed forso long.Also,theactittookforJesustohealwasanincrediblemiraclethatcouldonlycomefromGod!Yet,therearemanydaysthatwejustwishthatChristwoulddosomethingmiraculous.

Thatdesperationiswhatweneedinour livesaswelongforChristtoshowhimselfasahealer, teacher, and savior. Do not be so skeptical to think that miracles don’t occur.Instead, be likeMarcellus, who believed in the power of Christ, andwalked to his owndeathbecauseofit.

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JANUARY28Mark7

YOUNGMANHAD BEEN TOWEDNESDAYNIGHT BIBLE STUDY. THE PASTORHAD SPOKENABOUTLISTENINGTOGODANDOBEYINGTHELORD’SVOICE.

Theyoungmancouldn’thelpbutwonder,“DoesGodstillspeaktopeople?”Laterthatnight,sittinginhiscar,hejustbegantopray,“God,ifyoustillspeaktopeople,speaktome.Iwilllisten.Iwilldomybesttoobey.”AGentilewomancomestoJesusfulloffaith.ShekneelsatJesus’feetandbegshimto

castademonoutofherdaughterwhoisnotpresent.WhenIthinkofthistypeoffaith,IcannothelpbutbesomewhatashamedofthelackoffaithIpossess.Jesus’responseisaninterestingone, “...It isnot right to take the children’s [Jews]breadand throw it to thedogs” (7:27). Not only did Jesus seemingly insult her, but called her a dog, whichwascustomarytowardsGentiles.Instead of going away dejected, I love her faith answer that gives hope to all who

believe: “Yes, Lord; yet even thedogsunder the table eat the children’s crumbs” (7:28).What? Jesus was testing her faith to see how deeply it really voyaged. I quake at heranswerasshelongedtoseeherdaughterwhole. Jesus’responseisabeautifulpictureofmercy, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter”(7:29).Herfaithhadsavedthespiritualandphysicallifeofherdaughter!So,theyoungmaninthestoryabovewaspromptedtobuyagallonofmilkandtakeit

toanapartmentnextdoor.Ascrazyasthatmaysound,thefamilywholivedtherehadrunoutofmoney,andhadnomilkfortheircrying,hungryinfant.WhyshouldwelistenandobeyGod’svoice?InthewordsofPaulHarvey,“Nowyouknowtherestofthestory.”

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JANUARY29Mark8

HEREAREMANYPOPULARQUOTESFROMWILLIAMSHAKESPEAREPLAYS.One of his most popular quotes from the tragedy “Romeo and Juliet” goes like

this, “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell assweet.”Inotherwords,callarosebysomethingelse,andnoonewouldreallycare.Why?Becauseonewouldstillappreciateitsbeauty,creativity,andincrediblescent.Inthiscase,thenamedoesn’treallymatter,onlytheessenceoftherose.Markrecords for theChurchoneof themost importantpassages inChristendom.The

Twelve are with Jesus at Caesarea Philippi which was city full of statues and art formsdedicated to multiple gods from the Greco-Roman culture. Amid this culture, Jesusbreached the subject of his increasing popularity over the last fewmonths. Hewas notfeeding his ego, rather, he was testing the disciples understanding of who he revealedhimself to be. Verse 27 says, “Who do people say that I am?” Interesting question.Interestingresponse.Jesus then shifts the focus in verse 29, “But who do you say that I am?”What Jesus

meantwas,“Whodoyou,myclosestcomrades,believethatIam?”IlovePeter’sresponseandhowquicklyhesharesit,“YouaretheMessiah.”Petergotitright!ThetitleMessiah,or Christ, is one that cannot not be replaced. It is one that claims deity, power, andrelationship.WhencomingtoasavingknowledgeofJesus,onemustunderstandthatheistheonlywaytolife(John14:6).Jesuswascalledmanynamesduringhisministry.Mostofthemwerenegative,orsarcastic,butnoneofthosenamesmeetthecriteriaoftheGod-Man.Thereisnosubstitute.

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JANUARY30Mark9

HOUGHIDON’TUNDERSTAND,GODISSOVEREIGN,ANDHEMADEME.I enjoybeingon themountaintop– smell thegoodnessofGod, feel thewindof

Christ’sfreedom,andexperiencethejoyofworship.Itendtoleantowardsstayingthere–on the mountaintop! Last time I checked, I am not independently wealthy, so themountaintopisatemporaryplace.Onemustcomedowntoreality,smellthetruerosesoflife,andexperiencethethornsthatcomealongsidethem.IfoneisinthearmsofChrist,itisnotabadplacetobe.JesusallowedPeter,James,andJohntoexperiencetheultimatemountaintop!Heinvited

themtocomeupahighmountainandwatchhimtransfigure(Greek:metamorpoo)whichmeans“hisdivinegloryshoneoutthroughhishumanform,andnotinthecaseofMoses,causedbyGodhavingappearedtohim”(Unger,pg.1112).Wow,whatascenetobehold!Jesuswasinhisglorifiedstate,fromthatofan“ordinaryhumanbeingtoadivinebeinginallhisglory”("NewAmericanCommentary").Thoughhardforustounderstand,thatwasJesus’originalstate,sohewascomfortablewiththat.ButforPeter,James,andJohnitwascompletelyforeign.Howoftendoesoneexperience

a portrait of God in his glory? So, what did they do? Peter spewed from his pie hole,“Rabbi,it’sgoodthatwearehere.Letusmakethreetents”(9:5)Hedidn’tknowwhattosaybecausetheywereterrified”(9:6).Attemptingtobehelpful,Peterwasalludingtothefact that he didn’twant to leave.Whowould blame him? For believers, nomatter howgoodthemountaintopmightbe,eventuallyonemustcomedowninthevalleywheretheyoubelong.Enjoythemountaintopwhenitisavailable,butdon’tgettoocomfortable.

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JANUARY31Mark10

HENMYDAUGHTERWAS SIX,HER INQUISITIVEMINDAMAZEDME.SHEWOULDASK SOMANYQUESTIONSANDMANYWEREABOUTGOD.

She had a deep intellect and one day her questions led to an incredible insight aboutJesus.Sheasked,“Daddy,whatdoesGod look like?” Iwasobviously the“moremature”oneofthetwo,soIreplied,“Honey,wedon’tknowwhatGodlookslike.”Shesatthereamoment, and I could tell hermind was churning 100mph. She looked atme and said,“Well,ifJesusisGod(wehadtaughtherthattruth),thendoesn’tGodlooklikeJesus?”Iimmediatelyrealizedthatsometimeswisdomcomesfromthemouthofchildren.Jesuslovedchildren.HeisdescribedinScriptureasseeingthemasimportanttosociety.

In Judea, thecrowdshadsmotheredhimwith theirneedsandhunger for truth. Inverse13,“Andtheywerebringingchildrentohimthathemighttouchthem.”SuchanhonorforchildrentobeheldbytheGodoftheuniverse.Hisintentionsweretojustholdthemandblessthem.Helovedhiscreations.Thedisciples thought it to be awaste of time and tried to run themaway. Jesus said,

“whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (10:15).Jesuswasnotonlyteachingtheworldtoloveandtakecareofchildrenbuttorealizetheyteach us how to come to God for salvation. JohnMacArthur says, “Children are readilyaccepted into the kingdom… We are wise to become like children in our spiritualdependencyupontheLord.”ImissthosedayswithmychildrenwhentheyweresoakinginthetruthsofGod,butIalsocherishthosetimesasIlearnedsomuchfromthem.ThispassageshowsuswhatGodlookslike.

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FEBRUARY1Mark11-12

HAPTER11MARKSTHEBEGINNINGOFTHEENDOFCHRIST’SEARTHLYMINISTRY.HEKNEWEXACTLYWHATHEWASDOINGANDWHY.

By this timehishearthad turned toward the cross and tohis imminentdeath, burial,andresurrection.MuchtranspiresoverthenextfewdaysinJerusalem.Jesusisbroughtinon a prophetic donkey, cleanses the temple, authority is challenged, almost arrested,tempted by the Pharisees on giving, challenged on the resurrection, debated on thegreatestcommandment,andwarnsthepeopleaboutthelegalismofthescribes.AttheendofChapter12,anobscurepassagearisesamidJesus’challenges.Onedayin

thetemple,Jesusnoticedawidowwhodroppedtwosmallcoinsintothetreasurybox.ItisamazinghowChristcouldtaketheinsignificantandturnitintoabeautifultruth.Asheadmires the sacrifice of the widow, I can imagine the thoughts of love that Jesus hadtowards this personwho probably had nothing to give. Shemost likely lived alone, atesparingly,forfeitedentertainment,andstretchedeverythingthatshehadtojustsurvive.Americans,ontheotherhand,havemostlyfirstworldproblems,anddon’treallyknow

whatitmeanstosacrificeinourcozylittleworld.IbelieveJesuswantsanddoesmeetourneeds, but I don’t thinkhe careswhat colorourbrand-new truckwill be (which, by theway, Iwould like to have).On the other hand, he does care about the condition of ourheartswhenitcomestomoney.KyleIdlemansays,“Thegodofmoneywantsustobelievethatoursignificancecomesfromwhatwemakeofourselves.ButwefindourtrueidentityinChrist.”Don’tbeafraidtobeagenerousbeliever,nomatterhowlittleormuchmoneyyouencounterinyourlifetime.

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FEBRUARY2Mark13

ETENDTOMAKEJESUSVERYSMALL.MAYBEBECAUSEHECAMETOEARTHASAMAN,ORHEWASSEMI-LIMITEDINHISATTRIBUTES,ORMAYBEBECAUSEONESTRUGGLESWITHTHE

INCARNATEBIRTHOFCHRIST.Regardless,itisimportantasabelievertocometotherealitythatJesusisagreatGod,

with a great church, and an imminent Second Coming. It doesn’t matter whether oneunderstands this theology in its entirety, but only to have a good handle on thoseScriptures.EschatologyisoneareaoftheBibleinwhichwecanagreetodisagree.JesushadbeenwalkingdownthestreetsofJerusalem,andadisciplebringsupthetruth

of themassivenessof the temple. Jesuscommences toprophesy thatoneday“therewillnot left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (13:2). From thiscomment,aseriesoforaclesdevelopsintoanentirechapterofpredictionsofthelastdays.AsthedisciplestrytolistenandgraspwhatJesusistryingtoconvey,hopefullytheyheardatleastoneprophecyinthosefewminutes–verse26,“ThentheywillseetheSonofMancomingincloudswithgreatpowerandglory.”Thatnewsshouldhavemadethehairstandupontheirnecks!Why?First,Jesushadnotleftthemyet,andsecondly,whywouldhebeup intheclouds foranyreason?It takesagreat faithtotrust that Jesusreally iscomingbackinthatfashion.JohnWalvoord says itwell, “The SecondComing is an event that terminates on earth

andwill takehourstounfold.Duringthistimetheearthwillrevolve,makingitpossibleforhiscomingtobewitnessedbytheentireworld.Inmanyrespects,theSecondComingis the climax of history and the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ.” He comes back as aking!

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FEBRUARY3Mark14

VERYTHINGWASINPLACEFORTHEREVOLUTIONAGAINSTTHEBRITISHEMPIRE.The Continental Congress had asked Thomas Jefferson to draft a Declaration of

IndependencefromwhomtheysawasatyrantinKingGeorgeIII.Afterseveralrevisionstoassurethewordingwascorrect,membersofCongressratifiedthedocumentandbegansigningitonJuly4,1776.ThemostpopularsignaturemostAmericansarefamiliarwithisJohnHancock.Thoughhe isnot themostwell-knownof the56signers,hissignature istwotothreetimeslargerthanalltheothers.Hewantedtomakesureitwasclearthathewas a dissenter andhistorical accounts say, “There! I guessKingGeorgewill be able toreadthat!”Basically,ifthepatriotslostthewar,heknewhislifewasover.This chapterofMarkwas a littlebit like that story. Jesushadplacedhis stampon the

religious legalists andwithoutquestionhad signedhisowndeathwarrant.Nowhewasspiritually,physically, andmentally ready for the cross.Thechiefpriest andscribeswereplottinganarresttoridthemselvesofthisannoyingself-proclaimedprophet.In themiddleof this scenarioof events, a specialoneoccurs. “Awomancamewithan

alabasterflaskofointmentofpurenard,verycostly,andshebroketheflaskandpoureditoverhishead”(14:3).Noonecouldhavepredictedthisincredibleactofworship.Rightinthe middle of what was probably the most difficult week of his life, a common personanointedhiminadvanceforburial(14:8).Knowinghehadputhis“JohnHancock”onthedeclaration against sin, hell, death, and the grave, Jesuswas now ready to complete hisfinalactofloveformankind.WhatcanyougivetoJesusforthatactofsacrifice?

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FEBRUARY4Mark15

KNOWTHATGODISSOVEREIGN,HOLY,ANDKNOWSWHATHEISDOING.BUTTHETORTUREOFCHRISTISSOMETIMESMORETHANICANHANDLE.After Jesus is anointed with perfume in Chapter 14, he spends time with his closest

friendssharingthePassovermealwiththem,revealshisbetrayer,predictsPeter’sdenial,praysinthegarden,isarrestedbyCaiaphas,facestheSanhedrin,Herod,andPilate.Theseeventsallhappeninonenight–akangaroocourt.Ithinkaboutthestressofthoseevents,andsometimesIwonderwhyithadtobelikethat.On the other hand, I am thankful for the truth of the Scripture, and that it does not

sugarcoatthedeathofChrist.Hebrews9:22says,“Accordingtothelawalmosteverythingis purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”Someonehadtopaythepriceofsin,anditsurelycouldnotbeus.ThespotlesslambofGodcameforthatpurpose.Christhadpreparedhimselffor33yearsforthisonemoment.Hewasconfidentandready.Butthatdidnottakeawaythepainthathewouldexperienceduringthose24hoursofagony.Mark15:37says,“Jesusutteredaloudcryandbreathedhislast.”Seemssoanticlimactic.

But inLuke23:46 it states, “Then Jesus, callingoutwitha loudvoice, ‘Father, intoyourhands I commit my spirit.’ And having said this he breathed his last.” With completecontrolofhismind,andinperfectrelationshipwiththeFather,youandIcannotfathomthepain,andagonythat Jesusexperiencedonthecross.That is thewholepoint– Jesusdidit forus!LetusnottakeforgrantedthepenalsubstitutionthatChristperformedforus–heinourplace!

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FEBRUARY5Mark16

AVEYOUEVERLOOKEDFORWARDTOGOINGTOASPECIALEVENTBUT ITBECAMEAHUGEDISAPPOINTMENT?.

Iwent tomy firstNCAAFinal Four in 1987.My college roommate hadwon a lotterydrawing to have the privilege to purchase tickets. My recollection is fuzzy, but I doremember that Providence, Indiana, UNLV, and Syracuse made it.We had a great timethere,buttheonethingIrememberthemostisourseats.Haveyoueverhadtowatchabasketballgamewithbinoculars?ItwasheldintheNewOrleansSuperdomeandweweretworowsfromthetopdomewatchingtenantsplayonthefloorbelowus.Ihaveoftenwonderedhowitwouldhavebeentobeat thetombonSundaymorning,

ResurrectionDay.Verses2-4say,“Andveryearlyonthefirstdayoftheweek,whenthesunhad risen, theywent to the tomb. And theywere saying to one another, ‘Whowill rollawaythestoneforusfromtheentranceofthetomb?’Andlookingup,theysawthatthestone had been rolled back—it was very large.” Unlike my experience, which had nospiritualsignificanceatall,MaryMagdalene,Marythemotherof James,andSalomehadtheexperienceofalifetime!TheywerethefirsttobecomeawarethatJesushadrisenfromthegrave.“Heisnothere.Seetheplacewheretheylaidhim”(16:6).Whatanincrediblegift!I believe thiswas a blessing to allwomen,who in that culture,were not treatedwell.

Insteadof figuringouthowtomovethestone, itwasalreadymoved--not forChrist togetout,butforthemtoseein!Theirfirst-handaccountwasthefirstofmanywhoheardabouttheresurrection,sawhim,andthensharedthatgospelnewstoalltheworld!Don’twasteanyexperiencetosharewhathehasdoneforyou.

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FEBRUARY6Luke1:4

NTHEBEGINNINGOFLUKE’SGOSPEL,HEADDRESSESHISWRITINGSTOTHEOPHILUS,AMANHECALLS“MOSTEXCELLENT”(1:3).

Theophiluswaslikelyapowerfulpersonatthistime,buttherealityiswedon’tactuallyknowmuchabouthim–whohewasorwhyhewassoinfluential.Nevertheless,whilethisletterwasaddressed toTheophilus, the realitiesof its importanceapply toallChristianstoday,namely that thesewords, the verywordsofGod, giveus certainty aboutwhatwehavebeentaught.Doyouhavedoubts?Haveyouevergonethroughdaysorseasonswherethingsabout

Godorhowyoushould liveyour lifeseemconfusing,murky,oruncertain?This iswhatGod’swordisfor!Gotoit,letyourlifebeimmersedinit,andhaveyourdoubtsflyaway.Oftentimes,therealsourceofourpainisthatwelistentoourselvesandouremotions

insteadofpreachingGod’sWordtoourselves.ButtheBibleisclear,ifwearetoprogressin sanctification, the lifelong process of dying to sin and growing inChrist-likeness,wemustlettheWordofGodinvadeourlifetodestroyourdoubts.

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FEBRUARY7Luke1:49-50

ARYISEXALTINGTHELORDOVERHISFAVORTOWARDSHERBYALLOWINGHERTOBEARTHELORDJESUSASHERCHILD.

MaryexaltstheLordbycallinghimmighty,praisinghismercytowardsher,andtellingofhisholiness.MarywaslivingintherealityoftheLord’spresentgraceonher,andshewasthrilled.WhilethiswasanincrediblyencouragingmomentinthelifeofMary,shealsohadmanyotherdiscouragingmoments lateron, fromthedeathofherson, Jesus,tothemanynormaldiscouragingmomentsinthelifeofahuman.Howwasitpossibleforhertohandlediscouragement in the futurebetterbecauseofmoments like these? It’s simple–Maryhadgracetolookbackon,andsodowe.JohnPipercallsthis“bygonegrace”,meaningthatthefueltobelieveandtrustGodfor

thefutureistolookbackinthepastandremindourselvesofGod’sfaithfulness.TheLordcommandedhispeople throughout theOldTestament to remember theExodus,andwetoo,ifwearetobelieveandtrustinJesustoday,mustrememberourexodus,whenJesusboughtusoutofslaverytosinanddeathandbroughtusintofreedominhim.Thatisthefuelforbelieftoday.WillyourememberthegreatthingstheLordhasdoneforyou?

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FTHEKINGDOMOFGODANDGODHIMSELFCOMESTOTHEWORLD INHUMILITY,WILLYOUTOO,TODAY,WALKINTHESAMEWAY?

Humilitybecomes theKingdomofGod.God incarnate leaveshisheavenly throne andcomes to earth, not on chariots of fire or clothed in royalty, but humbly in a manger,whichwasnotawholelotmorethanaboxfortheanimalstoeatfrom.Verse12saysthatthisbaby,wrappedinswaddlingclothinginamanger,isasigntothemoftheirsalvation,essentiallysignalingthatthesalvationoftheworldcameinhumility.Philippians 2 says of humility, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in

humilitycountothersmoresignificantthanyourselves”(2:3).Jesus,yourLordandKing,came to earth inhumility and countedusmore significant thanhimself bydying inourplaceforoursin,givingushisrighteousness,andredeemingustoGod.Godisn’taskingyoutotakeonthesinsofmankind,butheisaskingyoutowalkhumbly,countingothersmoresignificantthanyourself.Willyoudothattoday?

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FEBRUARY9Luke3:5-6

OHNTHEBAPTISTCOMESONTOTHESCENEWITHASTARK,DIRECTMESSAGE-REPENT.Buthesaysmorethanthat,sayinginversesfiveandsixthatcrookedthingswillbe

madestraightandall shall see thesalvationofGod. John theBaptist comeswithahardmessage,repent,but laysoutaglorioustruth, thatoneday,all thingswillbemadenewbythisSavior.We can look at this in twoways today:One, looking forward, and the other, looking

backward.Let’sstartbackwards.John, when he mentions seeing the salvation of God, is obviously talking about the

coming of Jesus andhis eventual death, burial, and resurrection. If you trust Jesus, youtoo,inaway,haveseenthissalvation.Butlet’slookforward.John seems to indicate a certain newness of things, and for this, we look forward to

passages likeRevelation21,which speak about thenewheavenandearth andall thingsbeingmadenew.Today, be encouraged that theGod that saved you ismaking all things new and is in

controlofyourlife,evenifitdoesn’tfeellikeit.

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AVEYOUMESSEDUPRECENTLY?IFWE’REHONESTWITHOURSELVES,ALLOFUSHAVE.Sinningcomesnatural tous, like ridingabikeor tyingourshoes,weare really,

reallygoodatdoingwhatiswrongintheeyesofGod.It’sbecauseofthisthattheBiblecallsus,bythepoweroftheHolySpirit,tofighttheseevildesiresandactionswhichcanandsometimesdoplagueus.Sometimesthisfightcanbediscouraging,andsometimesitcanjustbetoughtograspontoGod’sloveinthemidstofourmistakesandshortcomings.Ifthat’syou,beencouragedbythegenealogyofKingJesus.Read through it. Notice any familiar names? Many of these people who are in the

lineageoftheSavioroftheworldmadehorriblemistakesintheirlives.Forinstance,takeDavid,amanafterGod’sownheart,amanlistedinthe“halloffaith”passageofHebrews11,amanwhoalsocommittedadulteryandmurder.ThepeoplewhosharedabloodlinewithJesusmadehugemistakes,andpeoplewhoGodstillused(andarehighlyhonoredinScripture)reallymesseduptoo.IfGodcanuse them, forgive them,and love them,hecanandwilldoall thesame for

you,too.

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OLINESSANDOBEDIENCEAREPLEASINGTOGODANDWILLULTIMATELYBRINGUSMOREJOY.The stakes are high when it comes to battling sin and the grace is plentiful,

therefore we should fight! But how? Thankfully, following in the example of our LordJesus,wehaveagreatroadmapforhowtobattletemptation.Jesus, in Luke 4, is desperately hungry, and Satan looks at this as the perfect time to

tempthim,ashisfleshlynatureisweakenedbythehunger.ButJesusisnomereman,heisalsofullyGodandfullyinlinewiththeFather.WhentemptedbySatan, Jesusrespondshowweshouldrespond,“It iswritten…”Jesus

goestoScripture!Areyoustrugglingtofightsin?Areyouwagingwaragainsttheflesh?Gotobattlewith

the best weapon there is, the Bible. If Jesus found it absolutely necessary to know theBible inside andout,whydoyou thinkyou cango through life anydifferentlywith anyamountofspirituallifeandsuccess?

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FEBRUARY12Luke4:18

ESUS, SPEAKING FROM ISAIAH 61, TELLS OF HIS MISSION FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD, TOPROCLAIMTHEGOODNEWSOFHISCOMING,TO FREETHECAPTIVES,TOGIVE SIGHTTOTHE

BLIND,ANDTOGIVELIBERTY.Jesus’ life proclaims the truth of the gospel and proclaims the glory and wonderful

powerofGod.Whatdoesyourlifeproclaim?Ifwearehonest,ourlivesoftentimesproclaimanumber

ofthingsanditallrevolvesaroundourambitions.Ourlivesproclaimanythingfromourloveofmoney,ourloveofself,ourloveofcomfort,orevenourloveofourreligiosity.Today,willyouasktheLordtomakeyourlifeonethatproclaimsthetruthofhisgospel,

thetruththatfreescaptivesandgiveslibertytothoseenslavedtosin?

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HRISTWASN’TABYSTANDERLEADER.HEDIDNOTSEE ISSUESFROMAFARANDGIVEGOODADVICEONHOWTODEALWITHTHEM.

Jesustookontheformofaservantinordertoexperiencethepainofhisfollowers.Hebecamepoor(2Corinthians8:9).Hismotherwaspoor(Luke1:48).Jesushadexperiencedhunger, literally, butmoreso encouraged the spiritually hungry and thirsty to seek God(John4:13).Jesusknewwhatitwastobesadandweep(John11:32-35)andheofcourseknewwhat itwas like tohavepeoplehatehim,excludehim,and revilehim(Mark15:3,Matthew27:18).InthatwayweknowwecantrustJesusandfollowhisperfectexample.Whenthingsare

difficult and you are hurt, struggling financially, or feeling hated for Christ’s sake, beencouragedthatJesuspromisesthatthislifeisnotthefocus,butthelifetocome.

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HILESIMONHADTHEHOLYONE,PROPHET,THELORDOFGLORY,THERESURRECTIONANDTHELIFEATHISDINNERTABLE,HESTILLWASN’TIMPRESSED.

WhenthewomancametoJesus,hisfeetwerestilldirty.Itwascustomtowashguest’sfeetastheyenteredyourhome.Thatwasn’tforgottenabouthere,itwasignored.AndwhenthewomancametoJesus,weeping,washinghisfeet,otherswereshockedat

her actions, yet Simonwaspleased.Pleasednotbecauseof the service, butbecause thisprovedJesuswasafake.Surelyifhewasthisprophettheysayheis,hewouldknowwhothissinnerwas.But imagine the shockwhen Jesus spoke of the twomoneylenders, and then spoke to

Simon directly. “But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (7:47). Back to the woman,“Yoursinsareforgiven…Yourfaithsavedyou;goinpeace”(7:48,50).WhilethePhariseewasarituallycleanandincrediblyreligiousman,helovedGodlittle.

ButthewomanwhodesperatelyneededtheforgivenessofJesus,lovedhimmost.God looks for love that is not a set of religious rules, but a passionate and heartfelt

realizationthatwearesinnersinneedofaSavior.

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FEBRUARY15Luke8:4-8

UKERECOUNTSAPARABLEJESUSTOLDAGREATCROWDTHATFOLLOWEDHIM.Jesustalksofasowerwhogoesintoafieldtosowseedsthathedesireswillreapa

harvest.Someoftheseedshesowedweredevouredbybirds,otherseedswitheredawaybecause they fell on rocks and had no moisture to grow up, another set of seeds fellamongthethornsandwerechokedawaybythemastheygrewup,andafinalsetofseedsfellongoodsoilandgrewintoplantsthatreapaplentifulharvest.Like any of Jesus’s parables, they tell a story about a spiritual truth and the spiritual

truthcommunicatedinthisparableisman’sresponsetohearingthetruthofthegospel.SomepeoplehearaboutJesusbuthaveittakenawaybySatan.Othersgrowalittlebitbuthavenorootand fallaway in timesof testing.Thenthereare thosewhohearandgrow,but are eventually choked awayby the cares and riches andpleasures of life.But finally,therearethosewhoareofthegoodsoil,thosewhoheartheWord,growintheWord,andproducefruitfortheharvestandthegloryofGod.So,whatsoilareyou?

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HEN TOLD HIS MOTHER AND BROTHERS WERE OUTSIDE WAITING ON HIM, JESUSRESPONDED,“MYMOTHERANDMYBROTHERSARETHOSEWHOHEARTHEWORDOFGOD

ANDDOIT”(8:20).Whatdoes itmean tobelong to a family?Formostofus,we thinkofbelonging to a

family in terms of our legal status, such as having the same last names as our familymembersorsharingguardiansorahome.Beinginafamilyismostlyaboutgeographicallocationandwhereyouspendyourholidaysasopposedtoanythingelse in21stcenturyAmerica, but when Jesus describes what belonging to a family looks like, this picturesuddenlyispainteddifferently.HowdoyouknowyoubelongtothefamilyofGod?Jesussaysagoodindicatorofthat

iswhatyourobediencetohiswordlookslike.Today,asyoureflecttoyourself,howwouldyourespondtothat?Canyourespondwithconfidence,knowingyourobediencehasbeeninlinewithGod’sWord?Ifyousayyes,you’reactuallysayingnobecauseyou’relying.Welive in thetensionofdesiringtoobeyGod’sWordmorebutknowingwedon’tobeyhisWordenough.Ifyoucanliveinthatgospeltension,desiringmoreobedienceyetknowingyourobedienceisn’tyetperfectandwon’tbeuntilyouseeJesusinglory,thentakeheart,because you can rest knowing you belong to the family of God and that Jesus is youradvocate.

FFEBRUARY17

Luke9:23-27OLLOWINGJESUSISEASY.ISN’TIT?NO?YOU’RERIGHT.IT’SNOT,Jesus knows that in this life, in these fallen bodies with a heart that has been

reborntoworshipGod,thatwewillhavetomakeradicalchangestofollowJesusinspiritandtruththroughoutthislife.That’swhy,inLuke9:23-27,Jesusmakesastarkstatement,tellingusthat ifwearegoingtofollowhim,wemusttakeupourowncrossesanddenyourselveseverydayifwearetobehisdisciples.Whatdoesthismean?Thismeanstwothingstoday:Denyyoursinful impulsesandwaysof lifethat leadyou

awayfromtheworshipofJesus,andclingtohiscross.Takingupyourcrossanddenyingyourself oftenmeans saying no to the things you used to say yes to before youwere aChristianandthatiskeyinwalkingasafollowerofJesus.Youcan’tfollowJesuswithoutdoing that. But taking up your cross can alsomean looking to his cross, knowing thatultimately it’s not your cross you take up that saves you, but it’s his cross, his bloody,redemption-givinglifeanddeathonthatcrossthatsavesyou.Today,bechallengedandencouraged–Jesushatesyoursinandwantsyoutowalkaway

fromit,butJesuslovesyouforeverbecausetheFatherlooksonyouashedoesJesus,aspureandholy,allduetotheSon’ssubstitutionaryatoningworkthatsavedyou.

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HEREARENEARLYEIGHTBILLIONPEOPLE INTHEWORLDANDWITHOURBESTESTIMATES,ONLYAROUNDONETOTWOBILLIONOFTHOSEPEOPLEAREADHERENTSTOCHRISTIANITY.

IfweknowanythingaboutthepeopleinourchurchesandcommunitieswhoclaimtobeChristians, we can easily assume a very healthy chunk of those people who respond tosurveys and census reports claiming to follow Jesus do not follow him at all. That’s anoverwhelmingneed for thegospel togo forth,and ifweare following Jesus,wehave tofollowhimonhismissiontotakethegospeltoallpeople.In Luke 10:1-2, Jesus talks about thismission, saying the harvest is plentiful. This is

clear!TherearemanypeopleinneedofthegospelofJesusChrist,andJesussaystherearepeopleinhisfamily,futureChristians,fruittobereapedthatisoutthere.That’sexciting!There are future Christians in our region, our country, and our world. But here’s theproblem - the laborers are few. The need is big, but we don’t have enough Christianssteppingup to theplate to take thegospelwhere ithasnevergoneandwheredarknessresides.Today, will you pray for those people? For people in darkness and for those future

Christiansout there?Andtoday,willyoualsopray foryourself, that theLordwouldstirup in you a deep, infectious desire to take his gospel and see his gospel taken to allpeople?

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FYOU’VEEVERBEEN INACAVE,YOUKNOWWHATTHEPOWEROFALIGHTCANBELIKE INDARKNESSTHATDEEP.

Turningonaflashlightorlightingacandlecanilluminatethewholecaveandprovideabeautiful vantagepoint to see somuch thathaspreviouslybeen covered indarkness. InLuke11:33-37,Jesustalksofthesametruth,sayingthatoureyeisthelamptoourbody,andthatweshouldbecarefultowatchthatlightsoitwon’tgoout.What does thismean andwhat does itmean for us? I believe Jesus is saying thatwe

should looktohim,thesourceof lightand life, for light inour lives,and ifwetakeoureyeoffhim,wewillwadeback intodarkness.Forus today,we shouldbe challengedbythesewords of Jesus, challenged to keep our eyes and our gaze focused onhim, onhisWord,andonhistruth,thatheisgoodandforusandthatthefullnessoflifeisfoundinhim,notinanyotherperson,thing,oridea.Jesusisthelightoflifeandifwecontinuelookingtohim,weknowwehavelifeinhim.

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AVEYOUEVERHADANYANXIETY?IFYOU’REHUMAN,YOUDEFINITELYHAVE.Nooneisimmunefromanxiety,andsomepeoplestrugglewithitgreatly.Anxiety

medicationand therapy isabilliondollar industryand isan issue thatcanwreck lives ifnot taken seriously. Jesus knows this, and he addresses it in Luke 12. Giving manyexhortations,commands,andcomfortsonanxiety,onespecific thinghesaysstandsout:“Seekhiskingdom,andthesethingswillbeaddedtoyou”(12:31).Are you strugglingwith anxiety today? Seek his kingdom.Are you feeling anxious or

haveasituationinyourfutureyouknowyou’llbeanxiousabout?Seekhiskingdom.Thatis Jesus’smainmedication foranxiety.Ultimately,anxiety isaworshipproblem.We fearthevoidofsecuritywefeelfromsomepersonorthing,andJesussaystheultimatefixtoanxiety is to reorientyourworshipandput itonhim. If youworship Jesusasyour truetreasure, then your true treasure and your source of security will never be lost becauseJesus isnever leaving youand isnever forsakingyou. If Jesus is your true treasure, youhave a treasure who understands you deeply because he can sympathize with ourweaknesses.Thecall tofixyouranxiety istoseekhimasyourtreasureandtoseekhiskingdomin

youractions,withobediencetohiscommandsandcommitmenttohisexaltation.Willyouaddressyouranxietywithhiskingdomtoday?

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HEN9/11HAPPENED,WHEREWEREYOUTHENEXTSUNDAY?Scoresofpeople ran to theChurch foranswers,butonlyweeks later, thepews

theyfilledwereonceagainempty.Whentheworldcrumbles,itcallsustorepentance,notashort-livedone,butonethatlastsfortherestofourlives.InLuke,somepeopleapproachedJesusabouttheatrocitiesofPilate,whokilledscores

of Jews who had protested his use of temple money to build an aqueduct. The greatindignationwasthat,notonlydidhemurdermanyJews,buthediditduringPassover,sothatliterallytheirbloodwasmixedwiththebloodofthesacrifices.Donotmisunderstandthe responseof Jesus.Hewasnot showingunconcern (remember that JesusweepsoverthelostnessofJerusaleminLuke13:34-35)butheusedthissituationasapleaforallofustorepent.Thekeyverseis13:3,“butunlessyourepent,youwillalllikewiseperish.”Theneedforrepentanceisnotjustforthebadsinners;itisalsoforthegoodones.Asyoureadthroughtheseversestoday,whereisitinyourlifethatyouneedtorepent?

Is there hidden sin, unforgiveness, hatefulwords, pride, arrogance, or rebellion in yourlife?Donotbe like theoneswhoran to theChurch foranswers,only togoback to theway that theywere once the dust settled.Repentancemeans thatwe turn fromour pastandturntoChrist,determiningnevertogobackagain.

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HEMYSTERY OF SALVATION IS THE FACT THAT IT IS SO SIMPLE, YET SO DIFFICULT. THEQUESTIONWITHWHICH MOST PEOPLEWRESTLE ISWHICHWAY IS THE TRUEWAY INTO

HEAVEN?There are amultitude of religions, all ofwhich have somemeans of salvation.Which

one is right? Skeptics claim that Christians are too narrow.Doubters say that the Bibledoesnothavethecornerontruth.Stillothersbelievethattheywillgotoheavenbecausethey have grown up in a Christian home, went to Sunday school at one time, or gotbaptized.ThissameproblemplaguedtheJewsandledtothequestionaboutsalvation.ManyJews

believed that all Israelites would make it into heaven, unless they committed someheinoussin,andthatallGentileswouldbeexcludedfrometernallife.ItisinterestedthatJesusreallydidnotanswerthequestionasmuchasherespondedtoitwithacommand,“Makeeveryefforttoenterthroughthenarrowdoor”(13:24).Hisimplicationisthatmanywhothoughttheywouldmakeitwillnot.ThepointisthatyoucanbesurroundedbythethingsofGodandstillnotbeimpacted

bythethingsofGod.Whiletheexternalthingsthatwedoareimportant(baptism,churchattendance, membership, etc.) those things do not provide salvation. Salvation comesbecause an individual personally repents of sin and surrenders to Christ as Savior andLord.Thatrequirementisthenarrowgate.Donotmakethemistakeofthinkingthatyouareheadedtoheavenbecauseofyourworks,yourgoodness,oryourfamilyname.WhatopensheaventousisJesus.DonotjustbearoundthethingsofGod.MakesurethatGodisimpactingyourlife.

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S CHRISTIANS,WE ARE TO BE NARROW REGARDING TRUTH, BUT THE BALANCE IS, OURBELIEFINTHEBIBLESHOULDNOTCAUSEUSTOBEUNCARINGTOWARDOTHERS.

ThePharisees faced thatproblem.Their issuewasnot aboutbiblicalbelief.Theywereinerrantists.Theirproblemwasthat theyhadmoved fromconservatismto legalism,andtheirlegalismblindedthemtocaringaboutothers.BecauseofthislegalismandagenuinedislikeforJesusandhisgrace,theysetupatrap.

TheyscheduledadinnerpartyontheSabbath.JesushadreportedviolatedtheSabbathonthreepreviousoccasions.ThePhariseessoughttokeep,notonlytheTenCommandments,butthe613lawsfoundintheOldTestament.Theyaddedtotheselawsexplanationsandprohibitions that literally led to thousands of laws for the Jewish people to keep. Forexample, the Jewish scholars added 39 categories of work that were prohibited on theSabbath,makingupdozensofadditionalrules.Therefore,theysetasnareforJesus,thinkingthathecouldnotresistthebait.Instead,

Jesus confounded his accusers with this simple question, “Is it lawful to heal on theSabbath?”(14:3)Iftheysaidyes,theywouldappeartobesoft.Iftheysaidno,theywouldbeinhumane.Theironlyresponsewasabroodingsilence.ThisstoryteachesusthatagenuinebeliefinScriptureleadsustocareaboutothers.Be

carefulnottotakeculturalpreferencesandmakethembiblicalcommand.TheBibleistheBible.Howcanyoutakewhatyoubelievetodayanduseittoministertosomeoneelse?

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AKEINVENTORYOFYOURLIFEANDPRIORITIES.WHEREDOESJESUSFITIN?ISHEYOURFIRSTTHOUGHTANDDECISION,ORDOESHETAKEABACKSEATATTIMES?

The Christian life should be filled with distinguishing marks. In other words, peopleshouldknowusasfollowersofChristthroughboththewitnessthatwegiveandthroughthe fact that our actions match our words. Christ’s teaching in 14:25-27 is a difficultteaching. Essentially what he is calling for us to do is to love him so much that ouraffectionsevenforourfamilywillseemlikehate.Jesusisspeakingheremetaphorically(afigureofspeech)usingwhat iscalledahyperbole(anexaggerationused todemonstrateanexample).Literally, Jesuswouldnot call forus tohateanyone. Itwouldviolateothercommands he gave us (honor your father andmother or husbands love yourwives, forexample).WhatJesuswassayingparadoxicallywasthatourloveforhimmustbesogreatand sopervasive thatournatural loveof self and familypales in comparison.Weare tosubordinateeverything,evenourownbeing,toourloveandcommitmenttoChrist.Heistobeourfirstloyalty.Allotherrelationshipsmusttakesecondplace.TobeadiscipledemandsthatwehaveanabsoluteloveforChrist.Thischallengeissuch

adifficultone,becausefamilyissocriticallyimportant.If,however,youdonotloveChristfirst,youwillnotloveyourfamilyproperly.Howcanyouworkonthatlovetoday?

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HEWORDLOSTCONJURESALLKINDSOFTHOUGHTSANDEMOTIONSFORUS.Luke15offersthreeparablesthatteachusaboutlost.Lostisneveragoodfeeling.

Thisfact isespeciallytrueinthespiritualrealm.OutsideofChrist,wearelost,butJesuscomestofindus.TheintroductiontothethreeparablescomesoutofaconversationthatJesushadwith

some religious leaders. For them, their self-righteousnessbecameahindrance topeoplefindingGodbecause thenoiseof theirhypocrisynearlydrownedout thecallsofGod tosalvation.Thelostsheeprepresentspeoplewhoarelost,knowthattheyarelost,butdonotknow

whattodo.GodistheShepherdwhocares fortheflock.Whenonegetsaway,he leavesthe99toseek for theone.Whenhe finds it,allofheavenrejoices“overonesinnerwhorepents” (15:7).Repent is a favoriteword of Luke.He uses it 25 times as a verb or as anoun in his Gospel and in Acts. It literally means “a change of mind.” To repent is tochangesides.Lost is also an important word used by Luke. In Luke19:10, Jesus shows us his heart

when he says, “The Son ofman has come to seek and save the lost.”AsChristians,weneedtothinkmuchaboutthelost.Therearethoseouttherewhoarewandering,lost,anddonotknowwhattodoaboutit.OurchallengeistobelikeJesusandfindthatlostsheep.Whodoyouknowthat is lost?Makea listoftenpeopleandcommittowitnesstothemthisyear.WecanarrestthewanderingofpeoplethroughthegospelofJesus.

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FYOUHAVEEVERLOSTSOMETHINGOFGREATVALUE,YOUSPENDANINORDINATEAMOUNTOFTIMESEARCHINGFORIT.

Youmaygotowhateverlengthstofindit.TheBibleisfilledwithaccountsofpursuingafter thingsofgreatvalue.That is thestoryof the lostcoin.Whenweare lost,Godstillplacesgreatvalueonourlivesandonoursalvation.Thecointeachesusthattherearethosepeoplewhoarelost,donotknowthattheyare

lost, and therefore do not knowwhat to do about it. The sheepwas lost because of itsfoolishness.Thecoinwaslostbecauseofcarelessnessoroversight.Forhumanity,wesinbecausewehaveanaturetosinandbecausewethenchoosetosin.Allofuswerethereatsomepoint, andmany are still there.Onemission strategist determinedbyhis researchthatonly13%ofWestVirginiansareevangelical,meaningthat87%arelost–letthatsinkinaminute–87%ofWestVirginiansarewithoutChristandlost.Andsincemanyofthemdonotknowwhattodoaboutit, itdemandsofusbothadistinctiveness inhowwelivetheChristianlifeandaverbalwitnessaboutthatdistinctiveness.Theparableteachesustwothings:1.AllpeopleareofgreatvaluetoGod.2.Hesearchesforthosewhoarelost.Do not forget the fact thatGod came searching for you.He found you, and he saved

you.Neverforgetthevalueofthosewhoarelost,treatthemwithrespect,andsharewiththemthegospel.WhodoyouknowwhoneedsJesustoday?

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HISPARABLEHASTHREEMAINCHARACTERS:THEPRODIGAL SON (THELOST),THELOVINGFATHER(GOD),ANDTHEUNFORGIVINGBROTHER(THERELIGIOUSCROWD).

Theprodigal(awordmeaningwasteful)wasdifferent fromtheother lostcharacters intheparablesbecausehewaslost,knewhewaslost,andknewwhattodoaboutit.Whenhecametohissenses,hewenthome.Those who are outside of Christ, especially those who have had an exposure to

Christianityortothegospel,willgothroughtimesofconvictionwherebytheHolySpiritspeakstothemandbringsthemhome.Thedifficultteachingofthisparableisthefactthatsometimes God lets us go. God searches for us, but he also lets us go when weintentionallywalkawayfromhim.Themain focusof thestory is lovingFatherwhowaitsathomewithanunlovingson.

Thatsonremindsus,asoneswhoclaimtoknowGod,toexamineourfaithcarefully.Heneverstrayed,butwhatwelearnisthatyoucanbearoundspiritualthingsandtheyneveraffect you. You can allow self-righteousness to get in theway of seeing people come tofaithinChrist,andperhapsyourownsalvation.YoucanalsobecomeresentfultoGod.The lovingFather, however, demonstrateshowGod’s forgiveness is still available.The

Father waits, but when the son turns to the Father for forgiveness, it was granted.Whetheryouare farawayoryouare thesonathome,whenyouturnto theFather,youfindforgiveness.Sometimesweareprodigals–wearelost,knowthatwearelost,andthegoodnewsis,weknowwhattodo.Comebackhome–theFatheriswaiting.

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S BIBLICAL AUTHORITY HASWEAKENED OVER TIME, SO HAS THE BELIEF IN A PLACE OFETERNALPUNISHMENTFORTHOSEWHOREJECTCHRIST.

Itisasubjectwithwhicheveryonestrugglesbecausehellisaplace,notonlyfortheverywicked,butevenforourfriendsandfamilywhohaverejectedChrist.Thatrealityissoverydifficult.JesustellsthisstoryoftherichmanandLazarus.Manyscholarscallitaparable.Others

saythat,whileitiswrittenlikeaparable,itisinallactualityarealsituation.ThereasonisbecauseJesususesthenameofLazarus.Therichmanwasarealperson,aswasLazarus.LazarusdiedandwenttoAbraham’sside(abiblicalphraseforheaven)andtherichmanwent to Hades. Hades is the abode of the dead and is a word that Jesus usessynonymouslywithhell. It is found four times in theGospels, all spoken by Jesus.Andnotice what happened there. He cried out to Abraham because “I am in agony in thisflame!”(16:24).It isafirethatburns(torments)butdoesnotconsume.It isawordthatJesususestodefineforusthegreatagonyofhell.Here’sagooddefinitionofhell–itistheplaceofthepresenceofthejudgmentofGod

andtheabsenceofthepresenceofGod.Therealitycheckforusis:1.DoyouknowJesuspersonally? 2.And be absolutely burdened about the lost condition of your friends andfamily.Hell is real.Did youmakea listof tenpeople youknowwhomaybe lost?Haveyoudevelopedanygospelconversationswiththemyet?Keepgoinganddonotgiveup.

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MARCH1Luke17:11-19

EHAVEALLSEENANDPROBABLYDEMONSTRATEDATDIFFERENTTIMESANUNGRATEFULHEART,NOTJUSTTOWARDOTHERS,BUTTOWARDGOD.

In1863,AbrahamLincolntoldanationheadedtodestructiontoafastday,proclaiming,“...Wehave forgottenGod.Wehave forgotten thegracioushandwhichpreservedus inpeace,andmultipliedandenrichedandstrengthenedus;andwehavevainlyimagined,inthedeceitfulness of ourhearts, that all theseblessingswereproducedby some superiorwisdomand virtue of our own. Intoxicatedwithunbroken success,wehave become tooself-sufficienttofeelthenecessityofredeemingandpreservinggrace,tooproudtopraytotheGodthatmadeus!”A truly thankful heart is not just one that enjoys the benefits of blessing but

acknowledges openly the source of those blessings. In Luke 17, Jesus encounters tenlepers.Leprosywasanincurableandusuallyfataldisease.Leperswereoutcastsofsocietyandwererequiredbylawtocovertheirmouths,growththeirhairlong,teartheirclothes,andcryoutopenlythattheywereunclean.Tobehealedwouldbenosmallmiracle.NineofthelepershealedobeyedJesusbygoingtotheJewishpriesttobedeclaredclean.One,however,returnedtogivethanks.Here’showyoucandevelopagratefulheartlikethat:1.PersonallyreflectonGod’sgoodness.2.BesincerelyobedienttoGod’sWord.3.DemonstrateapersonalfaithinGod’sSon.Howcanyouapplythesetruthstoyourlifetoday?

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MARCH2Luke18:9-14

UKE18CONTAINSSEVERALPARABLESANDAPERSONALENCOUNTERTHATJESUSHADWITHAYOUNGJEWISHMAN.

Onequestion in all of these situations is,what proves that a person is righteous?Formany Jews, righteousness was merely keeping rules and regulations. It was outward,legalistic, and prideful. The Jews had mistakenly interpreted the fact that, because theywere the chosenpeople ofGod, theywerebetter thanothers or that theywere theonlyoneswhomGodwanted. The problem, though,was that their pride actually kept themfromGod.True righteousness is something that comes from the heart. Biblically, we understand

that Jesus is theOnewhomakesus righteous (2Corinthians5:21) anddeclares thatweare righteous (Ephesians 1:4). Righteousness definedmeans the outward expression ofGod’schangeinourheartsreflectedinconductandrelationships.Holinessistheinwardqualityofbeingdistinctiveandseparate.Righteousnessistheoutwardexpressionofthatinwardholiness.The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector demonstrates this fact. The Pharisee

wasproudofwhathedid.Heprayed,heavoidedsinfulpeople,andhefasted.Howmanytimeshavewedone those things and evenbragged (masking them in a falsehumility)?Thetaxcollector,thelowestofthelowest,wasbrokenandhumble.HecriedoutforGod’smercybecausehewasasinner(andhewas).Jesusdeclaredthathewastheonewholeftjustified. Itwas an interesting, story.True righteousness isnot just the thingswedoontheoutside.Itcomesfromabroken,humblespiritthatrecognizesoursinfulnessandthatGodistheonlyhope.

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MARCH3Luke19:1-10

UKE19INTRODUCESTOUSANOTHERTAXCOLLECTOR,THISONENAMEDZACCHAEUS.It isoneofthemostpopularstoriesintheBible.JesusisheadedtoJerusalemfor

the last time.Hewas going there to die. At least three times (found inMark’sGospel)Jesushasopenlydeclaredhiscomingsacrifice.Thus,JesusisheadedtoJerusalemtodieforthesinsoftheworld,butitdoesnotkeep

himfrombeingconcernedabouttheindividual.Donotmissthatfacthere.Thecontrastisso interesting.The crowd, the righteous people,weremerely spectators andwere angrythatJesusdealtwithZacchaeus.Theyshouldhavebeenthrilledthatthistaxcollectorwasdramatically changed. You and I probably miss God so many times because we get socaughtupinourownself-righteousnessthatweneverseeourownsinandseehowGodcanchangeus.Zacchaeusdidnotmissthisopportunity.HemetJesus,andbothheandhisfamilywere

radically saved.Here’swhy:“For theSonofManhascome toseekand tosave the lost”(19:10).WhenyouthinkofyourrelationshipwithGod,howdoesitmakeyourespond?Doesit

conjureup thoughtsofpride andaccomplishment?Orare youhumbledby the fact thatyouwouldbenothingwithoutGod?And thendoes it leadyou to love thoseoutsideofChrist,thosewhoselivesarewreckedbysin,andthosewhoarestrugglingintheirfaith?TotrulybeafollowerofChristdemandsthatwehavethesameheartasJesus–toseethelostsavedandchanged!

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MARCH4Luke22:7-23

N ORDINANCE IS A COMMAND OF CHRIST THAT WE OBEY AS A MATTER OF CHURCHPRACTICE. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH, THERE ARE TWO ORDINANCES THAT THE

CHURCHOBSERVES.Thefirstisbeliever’sbaptism,wherebysomeonewhohasrepentedofsinandtrustedin

ChristasSaviorandLordis immersedinwater.ThewatersymbolizesdeathtosinandanewlifeinChrist.Thesecondordinance iscalledtheLord’sSupper. Itspurpose istoremindbelieversof

the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and death. Luke 22 gives us an account of Jesus’observanceofPassoverandhisestablishingofthepracticeoftheLord’sSupper.PassoverwasanincrediblysignificanttimefortheJews;itwasoneofthefeaststhattheycelebrated.ItremindedthemofwhenGoddeliveredIsraelfromtheEgyptiansasdeathtookallofthefirstbornofEgyptthroughthelastplaguethatGodbroughtuponPharaohforhardeninghisheart.TheIsraelites,however,wereinstructedtosacrificealambandspreaditsbloodover the entrances to their homes.When death came, it passed over the homes of theJews.WhenJesusdeclaredhispublicministry,JohntheBaptistproclaimed,“BeholdtheLamb

ofGodWhotakesaway thesinof theworld”(John1:29).As the lambwasslainand itsblood shed to save the Jews from death, Jesus shed his blood for us. The Bible clearlystates, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22),and the fact that “Inhimwehave redemption throughhisblood, the forgivenessofourtrespasses” (Ephesians 1:7). When your church observes this ordinance, take care inparticipatinginit.ItisabeautifulreminderofwhatJesusdidforus.

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MARCH5Luke23:33-38

UKE’SGOSPELGIVESUSAGLIMPSE INTOTHE INTIMATEMOMENTSAS JESUSDIEDFOROURSINS.

He records the very words that Jesus spoke on the cross. One of the first of theseexpressionswas the forgiveness that Jesusexpressed towardhis accusersand thosewhocrucifiedhim.Imaginethat!Forgivingthosewhorejectyou.Forgivingothers,especiallythosewhohavehurtyoudeeply,isoneofthemostdifficult

demands thatwehaveonusasbelievers. It ispossible forus toexperience forgiveness,butitisalsopossibleforustoforgivethosewhohurtus.Crucifixionwasthecommonformofpunishment, thoughbannedforaRomancitizen,

from the sixth century BC until it was outlawed by Constantine in AD 337. It was anexcruciating form of punishment, leaving the accused suffering for hours and some fordays. To demonstrate how sinful people are, even one of themen crucified with Christreviledhim,asdidthosewhowatchedHiscrucifixion.YetJesuswordswereonesofgrace,“Father,forgivethem,becausetheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing”(23:34).Thesewould be the samewords spoken by Stephenwhen hewas stoned to death for

preachingthegospelasrecordedinActs7:60.Father,forgivethem.Theseshouldalsobethewordsspokenbyus.AsyouevaluateyourwalkwithJesus,whoisitthathashurtyou?Howdoes that hurt hinder yourwalkwithChrist, andhowmuchunforgiveness do youbear?TaketimetodaytorememberthatChrist’ssacrificeisenough.Heisyourprotectoranddefender.Thosewhohavehurtyouwillanswer tohim.Therefore, forgive them. It’snotyourbattleanymore.

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MARCH6Luke23:39-43

NEOFTHEGREATUNCERTAINTIESOFLIFEISWHATHAPPENSTOUSAFTERDEATH.Somesay thatwe cease to exist.Others, even thosewhodonotbelieve inGod,

hopethatthereissomethingmore–butisthere?ThewordsofJesustothisthiefonthecrossanswerthatquestionforus.Thevisual isthatJesusiscrucifiedequallybetweenthesetwothieves.Andyettheyare

distinctivelydifferent.OnerejectsChristwhiletheotherreceivesChrist.Onerepresentsalifeof failure– theothera responseof faith.Butwhat theyultimatelyshow– in fact theentirepictureof23:32-43 is that Jesusdied forall– thatsalvation isavailable toall– tothecriminal,thereligious,thescoffer,andthecritic.Thewordsof this criminal ring loudly inourears–wearepunished justly.These two

menquite possiblywere co-conspiratorswithBarabbus.This one criminal, in admittinghisownsinfulness,openedthedoorforhimtoknowChristasSavior.The repentant criminal responds toChrist, “Jesus, remembermewhen you enter into

your kingdom” (23:42). It was a last-minute confession, but here is where you see thegreatnessofthegraceofGod.Jesussays,“TrulyIsaytoyou,todayyouwillbewithmeinParadise” (23:43).His confession of sin and trust in Christwas accepted. The one thiefdied and entered into an eternity without God. This man left this earth as a thief butentered eternity as a saint.ThankGod today for this promiseof eternal life, for allwhorepentandbelieve. IfyoudonotknowChrist, theopportunitytoknowhimisavailable.RepentandmakeJesusyourSaviorandLordtoday.

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MARCH7Luke24:1-12

OST EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR LIFE – LIFEOF SOMEKIND.WE TRYRELIGION,MONEY,EDUCATION,CAREERS,ORRELATIONSHIPS,YETNOTOFTHESETHINGSWORK.

Wheredowe find life – and especially life that isworth living and life that is eternal?Thatlifeiswhatthepeoplediscoveredattheemptytomb.Theangelasked,“Whydoyouseekthelivingamongthedead?”(24:5).WefindlifebecauseJesusisalive.Luke opens Chapter 24 by telling us of the women who headed toward the tomb to

anointthebodyofJesuswithspices.TheGospelofMarkrevealstheconversationthatthewomen were having as they headed toward the tomb. They did not know what hadhappened yet. The fact is, the tomb had been sealed and had soldiers standing guard.TheycertainlywouldnothelpagroupofmourningJewishwomen.God, though, had already taken care of the problem. When you read the gospel

accounts,youcanseewhatwasgoingon.Anearthquakeoccurredandangelsarrivetorollthestoneaway.Thoughwehavehearditamilliontimes,itisimportanttorememberthatthestonewasrolledaway,nottoletJesusoutbuttoletthedisciplesin.Theobstaclesthatpreventedthewomenfromcarryingouttheirdesiredtaskwerenotonlyovercome,butitwas takenwell beyondwhat they couldhave thoughtor imagined.They came to anointthebodyof Jesus.They foundsomethingmuchbetter. Jesuswas raised fromthedead–justashepromised.TaketimetodaytothankGodfortheresurrectionofJesus.Becausehelives,welivealso.

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MARCH8Overview:John20:31

S A CHILDWHEN I’D COMEHOME AFTER SCHOOL, I’D RETRIEVE THE “HIDDEN” KEY TOUNLOCKTHEFRONTDOOROFOURHOME.

Ifyou’dhavecomeandattemptedtoenteryou’dhavefoundthedoorlockedandsecure.I, on theotherhand, knewwhere thekeywas and therebyhad full access to thehouse.ReadingourBiblescanoftenbe like thatexperience.Approachingabookwecomewithquestions and concerns.What is this book about?Who wrote it?Why was it written?What genre is this? What are the main ideas? How do I deal with the challengingpassages?Ifonlytherewerea“key”toletusinandgiveusaccesstothepreciousgoods,safety,andsecurityinside.Thankfullyforusthebeloveddisciple,John,leftthekeyoutinplainsightforeachofus.

AsweapproachJohn’sGospelwerealizethese21chaptersaren’tjustforbeginners,ratherthis is a pool that’s both shallow enough for us towade in and deep enough for us todrown.John,in20:31states,“...butthesearewrittensothatyoumaybelievethatJesusistheChrist,theSonofGod,andthatbybelievingyoumayhavelifeinhisname.”Pullingnopunches,Johnmakeshiskeyabundantlyclear.AllofhisGospeliswrittenthatwemaybelievethatJesusistheChrist,theSonofGod,andthatbybelievingwemayhavelifeinhisname.Simply,John’sGospelisallaboutJesus.Asyoubeginyourjourneythroughthismarvelousaccountkeep20:31close.Maythese

wordsbethelenseswithwhichyouseeallofJohn’swords.Asyoubeginreading,asktheLordforhelptoletyouseethesebeautifulwords.Seeandbelieve!

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MARCH9Overview:John21:25

AVE YOU EVER HAD TO TELL THE TRUTH, THEWHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THETRUTH? CULTURE HAS FRAMED THAT STATEMENT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND TRUTH

ACCORDINGTOLEGALITY.Think globally for amoment across the 21 chapters of John’s Gospel. This is a book

filledwith testimonies. As you read the pages of John’s account you get a testimony fromindividuals,groups,andevenJesushimself.Thesewordsprovidepictures,evidence,andtrustworthyaccountsofthelifeandministryofJesus.EachiscarefullygiveninorderthatyouwouldbelievethatJesusistheSonofGodandthatbybelievingyouwouldhavelifein his name. Seeing John’s Gospel through the lens of 20:31 provides the angle ofinterpretationwesodesperatelyneedandatthesametimetieseachandeverytestimonytogether. Both Nicodemus in Chapter 3 and the Samaritan woman in Chapter 4 havecolorful encounterswith Jesus and at the same time provide you,me, and every readerevidencethatmountsuptobeliefinJesus.As you begin to read through John’s Gospel in these days take time to consider the

numerous testimonies that are given. John the Baptist (Chapter 1), Andrew, Nathaniel,Philip (Chapter 1), the disciples (Chapter 2), the official (Chapter 4), Jesus (Chapter 5),5,000people(Chapter6),andtheaccountscontinuethroughthefinalwords.JohncloseshisbookwiththerealitythatthestoryofJesusandhisworkinpeoplecan’tbecontainedon the written page. The very reality that you’re studying John’s Gospel today givestestimonythatJohn21:25istrue.CelebratethatJesus,throughJohn’swritings,hasmadehimselfknowntoyoutoday!

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MARCH10John6:35,8:12,10:11,10:11,11:25,14:6,15:1,8:58

STATEMENT ISCOMMUNICATIONORADECLARATION INSPEECHORWRITING,SETTINGFORTHFACTS.

Weliveinadaywheredefinitionsseemtobeflexibleandfactscanbemodifiedwiththeword“alternative”.Whilethismaybeconvenientoftheculturewe’recurrentlyin,it’snothelpful and simply, it doesn’t measure up. The Bible isn’t flexible and its words aren’talternative, so when the words of Scripture are read and spoken they are plain,straightforward, and true. John, the Apostle, was no stranger to polarizing statements.ThewordshewrotegaveclaritytowhoGodis,whomanis,andhowthetworelatetooneanother. In fact, JohnprovideseightstatementsthatdefineandgiveshapetothepersonandworkofJesus.Certainly,thesestatementsdon’tbelongtoJohn,theyareJesus’words.Jesusoutlinesandfillsinhiswork,hischaracter,hisperson,andhismissionbyprovidingwhatweknowas the“IAM”statementsof Jesus.Whetheryoustudy“thebreadof life,”“the light of theworld,” “the true vine,” or any of the other statements you quickly seeJesuswasdeadlyseriousabouttyinghimselfdirectlytotheGreatIAMofExodus3:14inawaythatwasn’tfuzzy,modified,orflexible.Jesus, in these statements, claims divinity and demonstrates supremacy. Thewords in

these classic lines set forth fact – life changingdeclarations.These are given to you thatyouwouldbelievethatJesusisGod.Taketimeandreadthe“IAM”statementstoday.Howcan the truthfulness of these words impact your day, your mindset, your relationships,yourwork,andessentiallyallofyourlife?

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MARCH11John2,4,5,6,9,11,20

ISUALPEOPLENEEDVISUALCUES.THOSECUESAREOFTENINTHEFORMOFSIGNS.The70’sbroughtasongthatsimplystated,“signs,signs,everywhereasign.”As

wecontinueourjourneythroughJohn’sGospelwecangetanideathattheworkofJesusismiraculousonmultiplelevels.TherealityofGoddwellingwithmenaloneisstaggering.ThenJohnbeginstorecounttheworkofJesusandthemiraculousnatureofit.Oneofthechallengeswithseeingsignsisthatwecanseeasignandmissthepointofthesign.Johncarefully curates his Gospel to record specific, powerful, and life-alerting miracles thatchangethecourseofimmediateandfuturehistory.Think for a moment through John’s writings – water to wine, healing, feeding

thousands,walkingonwater,resurrection.Howcouldthesethingspossiblybe?Whyarethese accounts given? To force us to pause and figure out empirically, scientifically,mathematically how these things happened? No! These miracles weren’t given as casestudiestodevelopusasinvestigatorsandresearchers.JohnprovidesthesesignstoshowusthewaytoJesus.JohnispleadingwithhisreaderstobelievethatJesusisGodandthatbybelievingthatJesusisGodhisreaderswillexperiencereallife,eternallife!Signswerenevergivensimplytomarveloveranymorethannavelsweregivetogazeupon.Thesignsrecorded across the pages of John’s Gospel are given that your heart would be with awhite-hotworshipoftheGodwho’scometoliveamongus,dieforus,riseinvictory,andclaimhisreward-yourworshipandyourlife!

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MARCH12John1:1-5

OLITICS…RELATIONSHIPS…PARENTING…VOCATION…FINANCE…WHAT’SINAWORD?WHATISAWORD?

Haveyoueverthoughtaboutnothingbutwords?Haveyoulaboredoverwhichwordstowriteinacard,text,email?Haveyoueverdeliveredaspeech?Therearesomanywords.How do you define words? Are meanings flexible, personal, cultural, or relative? If wecan’t trustwords, canwe trust people?RandyAlcorn said, “We tend to startwith earthandreasonuptowardHeavenwheninsteadweshouldstartwithHeavenandreasondowntowardearth.”Thosewords forceus tomakeadecisionaboutauthority.Whoseword isfinal?John, the Apostle, had the question settled for him by the advent of Jesus in his life.

John in his firstwords of his account of the life of Jesusmakes several bold statementsabout the “Word”.Firsthe states theWord is eternal (1:1-2).ThisWord John speaksofhasnobeginningandnoend.HetiestheWordtoGenesis1:1.There’snobackstory,nobirth,nobaptism–simplytheWordhasalwaysexisted.Secondly,hedeclaresthewordiscreator (1:3). Colossians 1:15-20 and Romans 11:36 both support John’s words inaffirmingthatJesusisthesourceandcenterofcreation.Nothinghasbeenmadethatwasnotmadebyhim.Finally,weseethattheWordislife(1:4-5).“Life”ismentioned36timesinJohn’sGospel.Thislifelooksbacktocreationandforwardtosalvation.Johncontraststhislifewithanunderstandingofdeath.LifeonlycomesbytheWord.Over andover the reader is prompted to askhimself, “do youbelieve this?”Believing

that Jesus is eternal, creator, and life is no small commitment. When we believe,everythingchanges.DoyoubelievethisWord?

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MARCH13John1:6-13

HE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT LIGHT FROM COVER TO COVER. THIS IS A THEME THAT’SIMPORTANT BECAUSE ITDECLARES BOTH THECHARACTEROFGODANDOUR POSITIONOF

NEED.Light is mentioned over 240 times within the pages of the Bible. This Gospel in

particularisfocusedonJesus,thelightoftheworld,andbeliefinhisname.J.C.Ryleputitthisway,“Christistothesoulsofmenwhatthesunistotheworld.Heis

the center and source of all spiritual light, warmth, life, health, growth, beauty, andfertility.Likethesun,Heshinesforthecommonbenefitofallmankind-forhighandforlow, for richand forpoor, for Jewand forGreek.Like the sun,He is free toall.AllmaylookatHim,anddrinkhealthoutofHislight.Ifmillionsofmankindweremadenoughtodwellincavesunderground,ortobandagetheireyes,theirdarknesswouldbetheirownfault, and not the fault of the sun. So, likewise, if millions of men and women lovespiritual‘darknessratherthanlight,’theblamemustbelaidontheirblindhearts,andnotonChrist.‘Theirfoolishheartsaredarkened.’(John3:19;Romans1:21).Butwhethermenwill see or not, Christ is the true sun, and the light of theworld. There is no light forsinnersexceptintheLordJesus.”Take time today and be warmed, melted, healed, convicted, grown, and loved by the

LightoftheWorld,JesusChrist.

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MARCH14John1:14-18

HEOLOGICALTOPICSCANBECUMBERSOME,DIFFICULTTOUNDERSTAND,ANDDIVISIVE.Nevertheless,wecan’tavoidthesedeep,precioustruthsbecausetheycauseusto

thinkdeeply, speak carefully, and act gracefully toward eachother. John in1:14-18dealswiththesubjectoftheincarnation.Essentially,the incarnation istheSecondPersonoftheTrinity – Jesus,withoutgivinguphisdeity, becameahumanbeing.Manyofushave solongagoembracedthistruththeitfailstoshakeus,stunus,andputusinapositionofawe.TheincarnationoftheSonofGodteachesusthatJesusiswithus,Jesusisgraceforus, and that Jesus is truth to us. We experience God through Jesus. Because of ourrebellion and sinfulness we could not go to God. We’ve attempted it across history.Consider Babel:we labored together to build a structure to ascend to heaven.Considertheenlightenment:wereasonedtogetherandestablishedintellectualstructurestoascendtoheaven.Neitherworkedhistorically and they aren’t sufficient presently. Likemen andwomenofyearsgonebyweareindesperateneedofGodtocometous.Youdon’thave to readAthanasius’ “On the Incarnation” (althoughyoushould) to see

themonumentalsignificanceofJesuscomingtoearth.YoucanreadJohn’sGospel.Lookat the testimonies from people when they encounter the God-Man. Lives are radicallyreorientedandremade.HistoricalaccountsremindusthatGodspecializesinrescuingtheperishingandtransformingthewretched.ThisisallduetothefactthatJesusbecamelikeus,perishingandwretched,yetwasnotrescuedinorderthatwemightbe.“GodWithUs”isanindispensabledoctrinethatleadsustoheartfeltworshipandlifechanginggratitude.

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MARCH15John1:19-37

HARLES GRAFTON PAGE, CROMWELL VARLEY, ELISHA GRAY… ANY IDEAWHO THESEINDIVIDUALSAREORWHATTHEYDID?WHATABOUTALEXANDERGRAHAMBELL?

Each of these men was instrumental in the development of the telephone. We mayremember the lastnameand tiehimto the inventionofourmodern telephone,butonewouldhave to askwould any of thesemenbe satisfiedwith simply being the inventor?Weren’ttheyaftersomethingmore?Certainly,thetelephonewasacatalystfortechnologyand communication, but when you whittle away everything you’re left simply with themessage.Thephonewasinventedtotalk,togiveamessage.John1:19-37bringsJohntheBaptistintofocus.Inatimewhenpeoplewerelookingfor

amessiah,hope,andtruth,anuntamedlonghairedthrowbacktothewildernessprophetarriveswithonemessageandithadnothingtodowithhim.Likehiscontemporariesweoften focusonthe lifeof JohntheBaptist,whichwouldhavegrievedhimboththenandnow.Johnhadonepoint,onejob.JohnexistedthatotherswouldknowJesus.Hiswordsthunderacrosshistory,“Behold,theLambofGod,whotakesawaythesinsoftheworld”(1:29). It’s as if John, inhisgruff and tenderway,places your facewithinhishandsandgently, yet firmly turns your head away from his face and forces you to look at Jesus.“Look!”hesaysemphatically.John knew Jesus and John knew the point of his life. John’s point was Jesus.What’s

yours?Whatisyourlifepointingotherstoward?Maybemorepersonally,whatisyourlifepointingtoward?Youcan’tshowothersJesusunlessyou’rebeholdinghimyourself.

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MARCH16John2:12-25

E’RENOTDIFFERENTTHANPEOPLE SEEKINGA SIGN INTHEFIRSTCENTURY.WEWANTGODTODOSOMETHINGTOPROVEHISLOVEANDPROVISIONFORUS.

“So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’ Jesusanswered them, ‘Destroy this temple,and in threedays Iwill raise itup.’The Jews thensaid, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, andwill you raise it up in threedays?’Buthewasspeakingabout the templeofhisbody.When thereforehewas raisedfrom the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed theScriptureandthewordthatJesushadspoken”(2:18-22).What’sthetemple?ItistheplacewhereGoddwells.ThatisJesus.Whatisthetemple?

Itistheplacewheresinisatonedfor.ThatisinJesus.Whatisthetemple?ItistheplacewherepeoplecometoworshipGod.ThatisinJesus.Whatisthetemple?ThatistheplacewherethepriestintercedesforpeoplebeforeGod.ThatisinJesuswhoisourgreathighpriest and our intercessor and our advocate. All of this happens in Jesus. And Jesusessentiallysays,“YouhavewastedyourtimethinkingthatthetemplewilldoforyouwhatonlyIcanaccomplish.Andso ifyouwanttoseeamiracle,killme,andIwillraise fromthedead.Andthissimple,33-year-old,humantemplethatiswhereGodispresentonthisplanetwilldemonstratemyauthority.”Wesay,“Showusasign!Showusyou’reworthyofuscomingtoworshipyou!Showus

thatyou’revaluabletobringanofferingto!”Jesus responds today as he did all those years ago, “The greatest sign/miracle I can

showyouistheloveI’vedemonstratedforyou.”

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MARCH17John3:1-15

AVEYOUEVERHADTHE FEELINGWHENYOUAPPROACHAPASSAGEOF SCRIPTURETHATYOU’REFAMILIARWITHTHATYOUCAN JUSTGLANCEOVER ITBECAUSEYOU’VEALREADY

COVEREDIT?Manyofuscruisethroughthetextwithspeedandagilitythatoftenleadsustopassby

whatGodhasforus.ThestoryofNicodemuscanbeveryfamiliar.Sermons,devotionals,studies,younameit,he’scoveredthere.He’stheeducatedandspiritualmanthatreceivedthe helpful lecture from Jesus about the Old Testament and the second birth. For amoment though let’s place our focus on Jesus in the passage. Jesus patiently listens,teaches,welcomes,andguides.Hisrebukeiscenteredonloveandaimedatredemption.His correction is drippingwith grace and saturatedwith Scripture. The actions of Jesuschanged Nicodemus forever. What was the basic work of Jesus in those moments? HesimplywasdrawingNicodemus’eyestohimself.Simply,“LookatmeNicodemus.”InthatmomentitallcametogetherforNicodemus.HerealizedJesuswastheonewho

would be lifted up. It all came together for him in that moment. God would bringNicodemus to his kingdom, but not because of Nicodemus, but because of God. AllNicodemushadtodowaslook.LooktotheSonofManandbesaved.Nicodemusdidn’tnecessarilyhavetohave3:16hehad3:15–thatwhoeverbelieves in

himmayhaveeternallife.NicodemusrealizedonthatdaytheSONOFMANistheSONOFGODandtheSONOF

GODisIMMANUEL–GODWITHUS!

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MARCH18John3:16

UREYESMUSTBEOPENEDTOTHOSE INNEEDOFJESUS,BUTFIRSTOURHEARTSMUSTBEMELTEDBYTHEVERYLOVEOFJESUS.

Years ago, the Baptist preacher C.H. Spurgeon said, “Oh, my brothers and sisters inChrist,ifsinnerswillbedamned,atleastletthemleaptohelloverourbodiesandiftheywillperish,letthemperishwithourarmsabouttheirknees,imploringthemtostay,andnotmadlytodestroythemselves.Ifhellmustbefilled,atleastletitbefilledintheteethofourexertions,andletnotonegothereunwarnedandunprayedfor.”Whatmotivates aman tomake a statement like that?Does it startwith a love for the

lost?Doesitemanatefromtheheatrisingfromthepitsofhell?Coulditbefromaslavishcommitment to the work of evangelism? Certainly, each of those could be a factor, butmoreaptlythisheartrisesfromthedeep,deeploveofGod.SpurgeonnevergotfarfromthewordsoftheApostleJohnin3:16,“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlySon, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Spurgeondidn’tthinkanyoneelseneededthistruthfromhimbeforeitwassaturatedinhim.John3:16isnotaversegiventousthatwewouldrespondingoing,ratherit’sgivento

usthatwe’drespondinreceiving.TheBibleislitteredwithcommandstogoandtell,butthisisnotoneofthemprimarily.ThesewordsarepregnantwiththeloveofGodforyou.God’sloveforyouwillcompelyoutocarryGod’slovetoothers.TheveryloveofGodyoureceiveistheveryloveofGodyougive.Considerthatforamomentandallowtheflamesofwhite-hotworshiptodriveyoutoeruptinpraiseandthenbesentinmission.

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MARCH19John4:27-42

T’SHEREWHEREJOHNISDOINGHISFINESTWORK.If you follow the progression of thought you see that Jesus, in the eyes of others,

movesfromanormalman,toapowerfulteacher,toadelivererofapeople,andultimatelytheSavioroftheWorld.Don’tmissthedefinitearticletherein4:42.Johnputinthereforareason.Hewantshisreaderstoknowtheimportanceofthismanspecifically…thisJesusistheone,theonly,theunique,SonofGodthroughwhom,bybelievinginhim,eternallifeisgiven!It’simportantthatweseethisprogressionbecausewithoutseeingthatarcofintentwe

run the riskofmaking thispassageoverlypersonal, overlyme centered, andpotentiallydevoidofthemagnificentpowerandtruthcontainedwithin.This portion of Scripture reveals at least two truthswhich corroborate Jesus’ claim of

being theMessiah.First, Jesus is alwayson time (4:27).The first twowords in verse27seem rather insignificant whenwe read this passage quickly, but if you slow down andconsider those twowordswe’ll see the impeccability of Jesus’ timing andhis control ofcircumstances. Jesus is in control of all things. Nothing happens without him andeverythinghappenswithhim.Second, Jesus isworthy ofworship (4:28-29, 39).We can’t forget that the Samaritans

wereoutcast,socialrejects.Theycouldbelikenedtomoderndayrefugees.Noonewantedthem, they foundsolidarityandcareonly in themselvesandtheywereconstantly lookeddownupon.Andofallplaces, this iswhere Jesusrevealshe’s theMessiah!Thehopewegatherfromapassagelikethis isenoughtomakeyoumarvel,worship,andconfessthatJesusistheSavioroftheWorld!ThesetwotruthsshowusthatJesusisneverlateandalwaysloving.

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MARCH20John6:1-15

HIS PASSAGE, LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL, LEAVES US EITHER REALLY ORPROVERBIALLY,SCRATCHINGOURHEADS.

It’salmosta literarydouble take–didIjustreadwhatIthoughtIread?Yes, John6, alongwithMatthew14:13–21;Mark6:32–44;Luke9:10–17,allsaythatJesusfed5.000menwithfiveloavesandtwofish.Jesus,afteranincredibleministerialrun(thinkwater,wine,healings,etc.)islookingfor

rest.HeheadstoamountainretreatforsomeR&Randafterarrivingoutsideoftownheturnsaroundand the townhassetupshopoutsideofhisvilla.Matthewtellsushesawthemcoming,wasmovedwithcompassion,sohehealedthem,taughtthem,andthen…fedthem…withaLunchable!Thispassageshowsusthatpeoplearethepoint,problemsareopportunities,andJesus

isalwaystheanswer.Noteverytestinourlivesisdesignedtoshowhowmuchweknowand how great our abilities are. Some tests are designed to show our weaknesses – toshowwhereweneedcare,help,healing,andultimatelyJesus.OnthisdayJesusaskedhisdisciplestosolveaproblemthatwasfartoobigforthemtohandle.Therewasonlyoneanswer, “We can’t, but you can.” Instead of faith they turned to flesh. Jesus, in grace,teachesthemtheaimoflife,problems,andultimatelyworship.Our problems provide us the opportunity to answer according to our flesh (self) or

according to our faith (Jesus). What’s in view for you at the moment that you’veexhaustedyourresourceson?Howcanyoudecidetodaytoputwhatlittleyouhaveinthehands of Jesus and patientlywait for him towork as only he can?That’s the very placewherelunchboxesaretransformedintobanquettables.

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MARCH21John8:58

SCHILDREN,MANYOFUSASKEDMOREQUESTIONSTHANOURPARENTSCAREDTOANSWERORCOULDPOSSIBLYKEEPUPWITH.

Questions reveal.Questionseducate.Questionshelpusunderstand.Aswe lookat thelandmark statement of Jesus in John 8:58 several questions are in order.Questions like,“WhodoesJesusthinkheis?”and“WhodoyouthinkJesusis?”Eachquestion is importantbutnonemoreso than the first. Jesus identifieshimself as

theGodoftheOldTestament.Heisnotjustrattlingcages,he’sdemonstratingdeity.Jesusissaying,“Unlikethegodsoftheeastorofthewest,Iam,simplybecauseIam.”Easternreligionswillsay,“GodisbecauseGodistheemanationofthelifeforceoftheuniverse,”orinwesternreligions,thegodswouldalwaysariseoutofsortoftherawmaterialoftheuniverseandthedeepsoftime.Jesussays,“No,no,no,no.Iamself-existence.Iamself-determined.Iamnotcaused.

Inasense,Idonotexist;Iamexistence.Idependonnothingandnoone.Everythingthatexists depends onme.” Do you see? “I have no beginning. I couldn’t have begun. If Iwouldhavebegun,somethingwouldhavecausedme.Iamthecauseofallcauses.I’mtheuncaused cause. I am transcendent above the universe. I existed before there was auniverse.There’snobeginning,noending,tome.”It’simperativeforJesustobeclearaboutwhoheknowshimselftobe.Thatrealitygives

rise toclarity foryouandmeaswecometounderstandhimashe is,notaswe fashionhimtobe.WeknowwhoJesussaidhewas;weseefromJohn8whathislistenersthoughtofhim,butwhataboutyou?WhatdoyouthinkofJesus?WhodoyouthinkJesusis?

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MARCH22John10:11

HEPHERDSLEAD.SHEPHERDSTEACH.SHEPHERDSPROVIDE.SHEPHERDSPROTECT.Peoplewantedawinnerbecause theywanted towin.Arulerbecause theywanted

torule.Aconquerorbecausetheywantedtoconquer.Adelivererbecausetheywantedtobedelivered.Butoneoftheirownmaking.Theonlyproblemwithwantingsomethingofyourownmakingisthat’safunctionaldefinitionofidolatry.God’s people at the time of John’s writing were living under the rule of the Roman

empire.They feltoppressed,discounted, andmarginalized.Theywanteda strong leaderwhowouldbringvictoryandreestablishtheDavidicKingdom.Thiswasn’tinandofitselfabaddesire,buthowtheywanted itdonewasmore focusedon themselves thanon theGodwhowouldlead,teach,providefor,andprotectthem.Incallinghimselfa shepherd, Jesusalignshimselfwithmen fromtheOldTestament–

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Job, and David. Throughout Israel’s history,shepherdinghadalwaysbeenafamiliarpartofeverydayagrarianlife.Thepeopleallknewthat sheep are themost helpless and dirty of animals. They require constant oversight,leading, rescue,andcleaningor theywilldie. Incallinghimselfa shepherd, JesusalignshimselfwithpersonalitiesoftheOTanddemonstrateshe’severyaspectofShepherdtheycouldn’tbe.Abrahamlied;Jesusistruth.Isaacshowedfavoritism;Jesusservesall.Josephwasproud;Jesusishumble.Moseswasfearful;Jesuswascourageous.Jobwasdependent;Jesusisdependable.Davidlefthissheep;Jesuslovedhissheep.JesusisabetterAbraham.Isaac.Jacob.Joseph.Moses.Job.David.Shepherd.Jesus is better because he is good. In Mark 10 Jesus asked why the rich young man

calledhimgood.JesuswentontoteachGod,andonlyGod, istheGoodShepherd,wholovinglysuffersinourplaceforoursins.

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MARCH23John11:1-38

ELEARNMANYTHINGSABOUTOURLORDINTHISSTORYTHATFEATURESLAZARUSANDHISTWOSISTERS,MARYANDMARTHA.

Thestory takesplace inavillageon theMountofOlives calledBethany.Thenarrativereveals Jesus’ love forhispeople.The twosisters recognized thegenuine love that JesushadfortheirbrotherwhentheysentwordtohimaboutLazarusbeingill(11:3,5,33-38).IbelievethisgivesusinsightinhowChristloveshisown:heiskeenlyawareofthedetailsof their lives, their needs, and their heartaches and ismoved to give them comfort (cf.Psalm23;Hebrews4:14-16).This section of Scripture also demonstrates God’s sovereignty and his passion for his

glory.JesusmakesitclearthatGodisactivelyworkingandordainingtheseeventswithhisstatementinverse4:“Thisillnessdoesnotleadtodeath.ItisforthegloryofGod,sothatthe Son of Godmay be glorified through it.” (cf. Romans 11:36). It also shows he hasauthorityoverdeathincallinghisfriendtolifeafterLazarushadbeendeadforfourdays.Jesus declares himself to be the resurrection and the life!He says toMartha, “I am theresurrection and the life.Whoever believes inme, though he die, yet shall he live, andeveryonewholivesandbelievesinmeshallneverdie.Doyoubelievethis?(11:25-26)”These truths have long been a source of deep and abiding hope to many of God’s

children.Allof these realitiesof Jesus’ charactercometogetherwhenhesays toMartha:“DidInottellyouthatifyoubelievedyouwouldseethegloryofGod?”(11:40).Hepraysto his Father and calls his beloved friend forth from the grave. ToGodbe all glory andpraise!

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MARCH24John11:39-57

OHN’SFOLLOWUPTOTHELAZARUSNARRATIVEISVERYINTERESTING.HerecordstheresponsetoJesus’miracleofraisinghisfriendfromthedead:Manyof

theJewstherefore,whohadcomewithMaryandhadseenwhathedid,believedinhim,butsomeofthemwenttothePhariseesandtoldthemwhatJesushaddone.SothechiefpriestsandthePhariseesgatheredthecouncilandsaid,“Whatarewetodo?”(11:45-47).ThesereactionsarestillcommontodayasmanisconfrontedwithChrist:somebelieve,

somereject,somesimplyponderhowtodealwithhim.AstherestofChapter11unfolds,I am reminded of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost: “Men of Israel, hear thesewords:JesusofNazareth,amanattestedtoyoubyGodwithmightyworksandwondersandsigns thatGoddid throughhim inyourmidst, asyouyourselvesknow-- this Jesus,deliveredupaccording to thedefiniteplanand foreknowledgeofGod,youcrucifiedandkilledbythehandsoflawlessmen”(Acts2:22-23).Littledidthesereligiousleadersknowthattheywereactuallycarryingoutthesovereign

planofGodas theymadeplans toputhimtodeath (11:53).Even thewordsspokenbyCaiaphasthehighpriest, it isbetterforyouthatonemanshoulddieforthepeople,notthat the whole nation should perish, are unknowingly true. He makes the statementbecause he saw Jesus as a political scapegoat who might shield the Jews from Romanpunishment.ButJohn,asheoftendoes,usesthestatementasameanstoshowthenatureof Christ’s substitutionary atonement. Our hearts rejoice as we see Jesus, in the face ofadversity,continuehisjourneytoJerusalem,wherehewoulddieforussothatwewouldnotperish!

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MARCH25John12(PalmSunday)

HISMUSTHAVEBEENANANTICIPATEDDAYFOROURSAVIOR.OnthisdayhewouldmakehisclimaticentryintoJerusalemashemakeshisfinal

movements toward the cross and his sufferings.He had repeatedlywarned his disciplesthathewouldsufferandnow,thattimewasbeforehim.JerusalemwasfilledwithvisitorsanticipatingthePassovercelebration.ThecrowdswouldpressinuponJesusasheenteredthecity.Hisauthoritative teachingandmiraculousworks, including the recent raisingofLazarus(12:17),hadcreatedquitethebuzz.Letyourattentionbedrawnnot to thewordsof thecrowd in thismoment,but to the

actions of Jesus.With the crowd in a tizzy and echoingPsalms113-118with their cries,Jesussitsonadonkey.Didyouexpect that? Inwhatmightseemlikeanoddmoment inthenarrative,John,theinspiredwriter,givesussometheologicalcommentarytohelpus,thereaders.JesuswasmakingasignificantpointashedeclaredhimselfthefulfillmentofZechariah 9:9. Jesus did not ride on a war horse, but a colt. The colt was a symbol ofpeace, not power. Everything the crowd expected, Jesus was not. He rode a donkey,speakingtothefactthathewasahumbleking,meekandlowly,theretoconquerdeath,not Rome.He did not come to bring the end to some temporal political power, but tobringanendtoSatan’styranny.Theswordwasnottheanswertosolvethiscatastrophicproblem,onlyacrosscouldbringtrue,eternalpeace.Onthatday,thehumbleSonofGodrode into Jerusalem to reconcile sinners tohisHolyFather. Indue time, Jesuswill onceagainrideintoJerusalem,butinsteadofbringingpeacehewillmountedonawarhorsetobringjudgment(Revelation19).

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MARCH26John13

VERYYEARMANYCHURCHESSETASIDETHETHURSDAYOFPASSIONWEEKTOCELEBRATEWHATISCALLED“MAUNDYTHURSDAY.”

ThiscelebrationisderivedfromaLatinphrase,“mandatumnovum,”whichmeansnewcommandment. The command to love others is not new. Leviticus 19:18 clearly exhortsthepeopleofGodtoloveyourneighborasyourself.The“newness”ofthiscommandisinregardtothestandardinwhichtheyareto loveoneanother,“asChristhas lovedthem”(John13:34).This is the pinnacle of New Testament ethics for the follower of Christ. To love our

brothersandsistersaswehavebeenlovedbyChrist.WecannotfulfillChrist’scommandunlesswefirstunderstandChrist’sloveforus.Sowemustask,howhasChristlovedus?Takeaminuteandthinkthroughthisanswer.Christ has loved you, the sinner, with an unprovoked love. You did nothing to cause

Jesustoloveyou.Instead,wegave(andcontinuetogive)himeveryreasontonotloveus.Youhavenotonlyunearnedhis lovebutyouhave insteadmeritedhiswrath.Christhaslovedyouwithagenerouslove.Heisnotstingyortightfistedwithhislove.Hedoesnotholdback.Helaiddownhislifeforyou,hesufferedunderthecurseofGodforyou.Heisnothalf-heartedlydevotedtoyou,heisallinwhenitcomestohisloveforyou.Christhaslovedyouwithafaithfullove.Jesusisnotgoingtoforsakeyou.Hisloveisnotficklenorflighty.Now, the command forces you to consider not only Christ’s love for you, but to also

considerthatthisishowyouaretoloveoneanother.ThisishowtheworldwillknowthatyouareafollowerofJesus!(13:35)

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MARCH27John14

BETYOUARELIKEME.IT’S2A.M.,YOUWAKEUP,ANDTHEFIRSTTHINGTHATENTERSYOURMINDISSOMETROUBLINGASPECTOFYOURLIFE.Maybeit isahealth,relationalorfinancial issue.Whateverthecase, it isamajorcause

ofstressandat2a.m.,itisbiggerthanlife.Thisistherealityoflivinginafallenworld.Inthis life nothing ismore certain than uncertainty, trials, tribulations, and suffering. It iswasAugustinewhosaid,“GodhadoneSononearthwithoutsin,butneveronewithoutsuffering.”That is whatmakes the first sentence of John 14 so difficult, “Let not your hearts be

troubled.”Thisisanimperative,acommand.Seemsimpossible,huh?Weliveinaworldfilledwithtrouble,howcanheexpectourheartsnottobetroubledwithallthetrouble?Well, it is impossible ifwedonot include the restof verse1, “Believe inGod;believe

also inme.”Our troubled heart is only alleviatedwhenwe place our trust in the triuneGod. It is simple. Faith, as the Westminster Confession reminds us, is “receiving andresting”uponGodandhispromisetousinChrist.Here isagoodexercise for today.Read John14:2-3andcallyourheartmeditateupon

thesepromises. In themidst of trouble, Jesus is pointinghisdisciples to the eternal, tothe final fulfillment of all of God’s promises. Let your troubled soul race to Revelation21:3-4andaffirmnotonlywhatGodhasdone,butwhatGodwilldo.Allofthetrialsweexperience in this world will, in a moment, pass away forever and we will experienceeternal peace and joy in the presence of God. This is what Jesus wants his disciples torememberandthisiswhatJesuswantsyoutoremember…at2a.m.

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MARCH28John15-16

HAVE FOUND THIS SECTION OF JOHN’S GOSPEL TO BE SO HELPFUL IN KNOWING HOW TOSHEPHERDCHRIST’SBRIDE.Jesus gives such clear instruction regarding His desire and purpose for choosing a

peopleforhimself in15:16,“Youdidnotchooseme,butIchoseyouandappointedyouthatyoushouldgoandbearfruitandthatyourfruitshouldabide.”Jesusremindsusthatgenuinefruit-bearingcanonlyhappenwhenthebranchhasalife-

sustainingrelationshipwiththevine.HespeaksofourwalkwiththeLordasaprocessofpruning.Ifwecanrememberthatthetrialsandhardshipsoflifeareallpartofhelpingusbear more fruit for God’s glory, it will enable us to see the many evidences of God’ssanctifyinggraceinourlivesandministry.Jesus continues with his instruction to his disciples with the reminder of what our

relationship with the world will look like. The follower of Christ will never win theapprovalandaccoladesof theworldbecause theworldhashatedtheChristwe loveandrepresent. Understanding this will encourage us to remain faithful and keep us fromfallingaway.Wemust take to heart thesewords of our Lord in 16:33, “I have said these things to

you,thatinmeyoumayhavepeace.Intheworldyouwillhavetribulation.Buttakeheart;I have overcome theworld.” Letme draw our attention to twomore precious truths incaringfortheflockofGod.JesushassentaHelper,theHolySpirit,tobeaconstantguidetoourheartsfordeclaringtruthtoourfolksandbringingglorytoChrist!Lastly,wemustavailourselves to thispromise in16:24,“Ask,andyouwill receive, thatyour joymaybefull.”

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MARCH29John17

ROTHERSANDSISTERS,COUNT ITAGIFTOFGODTHATWEHAVEJOHN17RECORDEDFORUS.

Thistextislikeenteringtheholyofholies,itisamomentofgraceforustolisteninasGodtheSonspeakstoGodtheFather.PhilipMelanchthonwouldsayofJohn17,“Thereisnovoicewhichhaseverbeenheard,eitherinheavenorinearth,moreexalted,moreholy,morefruitful,moresublime,thantheprayerofferedupbytheSontoGodhimself.”ThistexthasalwaysbeenvaluedbytheChurch.JohnKnox,thegreatScottishreformer,wouldoftenhavethistextreadtohimduringhislastdays.In this prayer Jesus will pray for himself (17:1-5), for his disciples (17:6-19) and for

those would later believe through the ministry of his disciples (17:20-26). This prayercomesatacrucialtimeforJesus.The“hour”thathehadanticipatedsince2:4(7:30;8:20)hadarrived(12:23;13:1,31-32;17:1)andnowtheSonpourshisheartoutindependenceuponhisFather.ThisistrulytheLord’sprayerasnootherpersoncouldofferupthispetition.Taketime

todaytocarefullyreadthroughJohn17.FindyourselfcaughtupinmeditationsuponyourSavior’swords.Hearhimplead,listentohisheart,seehispassionand,inresponse,gloryinyourChrist.Don’tpassoverthesewordsquickly,theyaretooimportant.Textslikethisdeserveintentionalmediations.IcanthinkofnobetterwaytoprepareforGoodFridaythanallowingthistexttoweigh

heavilyuponyourmindandhearttoday!

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MARCH30John18-19(GoodFriday)

HEAPOSTLEBEGINSTOCHRONICLETHESUFFERINGSOFCHRIST.Itwill beginwith the betrayal, and itwill endwith a cross. Stuart Townend and

KeithGettycaptureitwellintheirsong,“ThePoweroftheCross.”Oh,toseethedawnOfthedarkestday,ChristontheroadtoCalvary.Triedbysinfulmen,Tornandbeaten,thenNailedtoacrossofwood.There is nodarkerday inhistory.Theperfect, pure, and spotless lambofGodwill be

judgedbytheunrighteous,theguilty,thevile.Hewill“beartheawesomeweightofsin.”Awesome because the infinite wrath of God will be poured out upon the Son injudgement.But,theSondoesnothanghisheadinshameanddefeat,butinvictory.NowthedaylightfleesNowthegroundbeneathQuakesasitsMakerbowsHishead.Curtaintornintwo,Deadareraisedtolife,“Finished!”thevictorycry.Good Friday is good because the cross does not end in defeat but in triumph. “It is

finished”(19:30)remindsthatChrist’sredemptiveeffortwasfinalandcomplete.Nomorepunishmentisrequired.ThesacrificeofChristwasperfectandbroughtforththefinalandfullredemptionofsinners.WeseetheculminationofGod’spromiseofGenesis3:15ashisSoncrushedtheheadofSatanonthisEasterweekend.

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MARCH31John19

SCHRISTIANSWENEEDTOAPPRECIATETHEDEPTHOFCHRIST’SSUFFERINGS.The first threeversesof John19giveusabriefbuthelpfulunderstandingof the

sufferings Jesuswould endure before hewould be flogged, a crown of thornswould betwisteduponhishead,andhewouldbeclothedwithapurplerobe.Floggingorscourgingmeantremovingtheclothesofthecriminalorvictim,tyinghim

toastakeorpole,andrepeatedlybeatingtheirbackwitheitherapoleorwhipthatwouldhaveleadorbonespikesattached.Thefloggingwouldcutthroughtheskin,exposingtheflesh and causing significant bleeding. Eusebius, the church historian, described a laterRomanfloggingbysaying,“[Thevictim’s]veinswerelaidbare,andtheinnermusclesandsinews,andeventhebowels,wereexposed.”Yes,youreadthatcorrectly,thebrutalityleftthe potential of internal organs being exposed. The thorns placed upon his head werelongandwoulddigintotheskullofthevictim,surelycausingconsiderablepainandlossofblood.Thatwhichwouldcharacterizethecurse(Genesis3:17-18)wouldnowadornthebrowofourSavior.Thepurplerobe,saturatedwithblood,wouldbeameansofmockingourbeatenSaviorasthesoldierscriedout,“Hail,kingoftheJews!”Consider this question:Whywas Jesus punished so severely?Many answers could be

giventothisquestion.TheprimaryanswerisnotthehateordisdainoftheJewishleadersforJesus.Instead,asIsaiah53:10remindsus,“itwasthewilloftheLordtocrushhim;toput him to grief.” Jesus was punished and it was the will of God (Acts 4:26-28; 2Corinthians 5:21). “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, Inmyplace condemnedhe stood;Sealedmypardonwithhisblood.Hallelujah!WhataSavior!”(Bliss,Philip,1875)

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APRIL1John20(EasterSunday)

ASTER SUNDAY IS A GLORIOUS DAY FOR SO MANY REASONS. THIS DAY IS GOD’SDECLARATION TO THEWORLD THAT HIS SON HAS REDEEMED AND THAT HIS REDEMPTIVE

EFFORTSARECOMPLETEANDSUFFICIENTThe events of John 20 are crucial to our faith as Jesus’ declaration of “It is finished”

(19:30) is now vindicated as he is raised from the dead. The resurrection is just that, adivinedeclarationthatJesusiswhohesaysheisandaccomplishedwhathesaidhewouldaccomplished.HeindeedistheSonofGodandheisthegiverofeternallife.Today, take time to read John 20with 1Corinthians 15 inmind. Paulwill be clear (1

Corinthians15:12-17). If thishistoricaleventdidnot takeplace thenour faith isuseless,wecontinue tobear theweightand judgmentofoursins,our lovedones inChristhaveperished, just like Jesus,andweareapitiablepeople. John20 isabsolutelynecessaryorJohn 19 would simply be another human tragedy. Charles Spurgeon would say, “Theresurrection of our divine Lord from the dead is the cornerstone of Christian doctrine.PerhapsImightmoreaccuratelycall it thekeystoneofthearchofChristianity, for if thatfactcouldbedisproved,thewholefabricofthegospelwouldfalltotheground.”Today,onEasterSunday,letyourheartrestintheaffirmationofGoduponJesusandhis

work.Seeinthatemptytombthatyourjustificationhasbeensealed,thatyourforgivenesshasbeensecuredandthateternallifeisyours.Theresurrectionismorethananiceendingtoagoodstory.Itistheexclamationpointontheendofthissentence,“Itisfinished!”

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APRIL2John21

ESUSWILLHAVEAUNIQUEANDNEEDEDMOMENTWITHPETER.Through a series of questions, Jesuswill affirmPeter’s love for him, and I believe,

prepare him for the difficult days to follow. With each question Peter’s anxiety grows(21:17).EachtimePeterwillrespondwithacleardeclaration,“Yes,Lord;youknowthatIlove you.” We all know the story, right? Peter had repeatedly denied association withChrist on that fateful night. Now Jesus, before he ascends to the Father, will have amomentwithPeter.ToeachofPeter’s responses Jesus says, “Feedmy lambs.” It is an if/thenstatement. If

you love me, then feed my lambs. In other words, Jesus was preparing Peter for hisdepartureandwascallinghimtodemonstratehiscontinuedloveforJesusthroughcaringfortheSavior’ssheep.WouldPeterlearnfromthismoment?Read1Peter5:1-4anddecideforyourself.Whataboutus?ThereareclearlyimplicationshereforthepeopleofGod.Textlikethis

shouldcompelustolikewiselovethechurch,theflockofGod.ToloveJesusistolovehispeople.NoonecantrulyloveChristiftheydonotlovehisbride.“Christlovedthechurchandgavehimselfup forher”(Ephesians5:25).Howcouldwesaywe love Jesusandnotlovethosewhomhehasredeemedwithasacrificiallove?EveryweekyousitbesidethosewhoareChrist’ssheep.Doyoulovethem?Whatisthe

evidence that you love them? Here is my challenge for you: Walk into your Sundaygathering,smallgroups,orBiblestudies looking to loveyourSavior through lovinghispeople.Jesuscametoserve,nottobeserved(Mark10:45).Whataboutyou?

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APRIL3Acts1

HEBOOKOFACTSSERVESASASORTOFPARTTWOTOLUKE’SACCOUNTOFALLTHATJESUSBEGANTODOANDTEACH.

LikeLuke’sGospel,ActsisaddressedtoTheophilus.Theophiluswas,perhaps,aliteraryfigure serving as the general addressee for an open-ended letter, but more likely,Theophiluswasafleshandbloodpersonnotsodifferentfromyouandme.Lukeintendedto set forth a sort of apologetic – to give a true, compelling account of how God wasgatheringapeopletohimselfandturningtheworldupsidedown.LukeistellingthestoryofwhatGoddidthroughGod’speopleandwhythatmattersforallofus.This chapter containsamissionarymandate. Jesus tellshisdisciples that they’llbehis

witnessesinJerusalem,Judea,Samaria,andtotheveryendsoftheearth.Thisalsoservesasasortofthesisforthebook,asthegospelisproclaimedandtheSpiritofGodmovesinJerusalem,Judea,Samaria,theninvariouspointsthroughouttheknownworld.Thisstorycontinues.Thisgospelisstillpreached.ThisGodstillsaves.AsyoureadthroughActs,thinkaboutthelegacyinwhichyoustand.Normal,everyday

men andwomen, filledwith the Spirit ofGod, served as the forerunners to the greatestmovement the world has ever known. The people of God, empowered by the Spirit ofGod,carriedthemessageofGodeverywheretheywent.Whatawaytolive!ThankGodforhispowerandgracetoday.ThankGodfortheoneswhosharedthegospelwithyou.Prayformissionariestakingthegospeltotheendsoftheearth.PraythatGodwouldgiveyouboldnesstotakethegospeleverywhereyougo.

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APRIL4Acts2

OD,THEHOLYSPIRIT,COMESTO INDWELLTHEHEARTSOFTHOSEWHORESPONDTOTHEGOSPELINREPENTANCEANDFAITH.

Acts2featuresoneofthemostsignificantmomentsinsalvifichistory:Pentecost.FilledwiththeSpirit,Peter(thesameguywhohaddeniedJesusthreetimesalittleoveramonthago)standsupandpowerfullypreaches thegospel.Youkilledhim,andGod raisedhimup!Thatdayhismessage,pepperedwithallusionstotheOldTestament,cuthishearersto

the heart and some 3,000 came to faith. Notably, observants of Pentecost annuallycelebratedthegivingof theLawatMt.Sinai.At thebaseofSinai, though, thepeopleofGodweredisobedient.Some3,000peopledied.Onthisday,throughtheproclamationofthegospel, some3,000peopledidnotdie–3,000people found life–a life theywouldbegintoworkoutincommunity.Theydevotedthemselvestotheapostle’steaching,tothefellowship,tothebreakingof

bread, and to prayer. They met together in the temple, broke bread in one another’shomes, and did all this with glad and joyful hearts. Together, they committed theircommunity to God, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were beingsaved.Manyofus rightlywant to seepeople saved,butwe forgetabout thesimplepowerof

obedience.ThejoyoftheLordinourmidstisourgreateststrengthinaworldopposedtothe gospel. In our churches, we must commit to the simple things. To prayer, tofellowship,tothestudyofGod’sword.IfGod’spresencedwellsamongus,itmattersnothow “cool” our worship services are. All those who visit will sense the palpable joy oflovingcommunity.

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APRIL5Acts3

OLLOWERSOFJESUSFIXTHEIRGAZEWHEREOTHERSAVERTTHEIRGAZE.InActs3you’ll findastoryofPeterand Johnwalking to the temple forprayerat

three in the afternoon.They came across aman, lame frombirth,whowas carried eachdaytobegatthetemplegate.Countlessindividualshadundoubtedlyseenthisman,andhehadnodoubtbecomeaccustomedtobeingignored.PeterandJohn,likeallpeopleofGod, respond differently. They looked, as the text says, “straight at him.” “Look at us”(4:4),theysaid.Where some see a destitute beggar, followers of Jesus see an image bearer of God,

Almighty. Followers of Jesus recognize the inherent dignity in every human being. Theoutcast,theimmigrant,theprostitute,andtheunbornallmatterbecauseGodhascreatedtheminhisimage.The beggar no doubt expected them to give him somemoney or some food, but the

Apostleshadotherplans.“Idon’thavesilverorgold,butwhatIdohave, Igiveyou: Inthenameof JesusChristofNazareth, riseupandwalk!”Sureenough,he jumpedtohisfeet and began to walk. About this passage, scholar F.F. Bruce re-tells a story that hasworkeditswaythroughtheannalsofchurchhistory:“According to Cornelius a Lapide, Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent II

whenthelatterwascountingoutalargesumofmoney.‘Yousee,Thomas,’saidthePope,‘the church canno longer say, ‘Silver andgoldhave Inone.’ ‘True,holy father,’was thereply;‘neithercanshenowsay,‘Riseandwalk.’’’The lesson of Aquinas’s barb rings especially true in the comfort of our American

churches.WemustidentifywiththevulnerableandtrustthepowerofGod.

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APRIL6Acts4

ETER’S NEWFOUND (SPIRIT-GIVEN) BOLDNESS SURFACES AGAIN IN CHAPTER 4 AS HE ISARRESTEDANDBROUGHTBEFORETHERULERSOFTHEDAY.

There, he pulls no punches when he preaches the truth of the gospel. "Whom youcrucified;Godraisedfromthedead.”Hissermonendswithapowerfulstatementthathasthundered throughout history: There is salvation in no one else, for there is no othernameunderheavengiventopeoplebywhichwemustbesaved(4:12).Luke goes on to note that the crowdwas struck by their boldness. They realized that

they were “uneducated and untrained men.” They were amazed. They recognized thatPeterandJohnhadbeenwithJesus.Ilovethat.Theyweren’tleftinaweofPeter’soration.Theyweren’t impressedwithhis extensiveknowledgeof theLaw.They recognized thesemenhadbeenwithJesus.Howencouragingthisnarrativeisfornormalpeoplelikeyouandme.Sure,theseguys

wouldhavehadgreatknowledgeoftheLaw,andPetermayhavegivenarousingspeech.Butthecrowdnoticedsomethingdifferentaboutthewaytheyspoke.Thecrowdcouldnothelp but notice these guys weren’t speaking about an impersonal truth. They werespeaking of One they knew deeply. Candidly, I’ve preached sermons after weeks mydevotionallifewaslacking.Mystudymayhavebeenfine,mynotesclear,andmydeliverystrong.Butsomethingwasmissing.Ididn’thavetheauthoritythatcomeswithintimacy.WhenwetalkaboutJesus,wemustrememberwearen’tspeakingofadistantreality.We’re speaking of the onlyName bywhichman can be saved.We’re speaking of the

Onewhosavedus.WespeakasthosewhocommunewiththeRisenKing.

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APRIL7Acts5

NECONSTANTINACTSISCONFLICT.THEGOSPELNEVERENTERSAPLACEDEVOIDOFIDOLSITINTENDSTOSMASH.

Onceagain, theapostles areput inprison.This timeanangelof theLordbusts themout, and theygo straight to the temple topreachand teach.Theauthoritiesbring thembackintostandbeforetheSanhedrin.Again,theApostlesdonotsaywhattherulerswanttohear,andmanyareengulfed inrage.OnePharisee, though,by thenameofGamaliel,offeredsomesagecounsel:“Sointhepresentcase,Itellyou,stayawayfromthesemenandleavethemalone.Forif

thisplanor thiswork isofhumanorigin, itwill fail;but if it isofGod,youwillnotbeabletooverthrowthem.YoumayevenbefoundopposingGod!”(5:38-39)Man.Gamaliellikelyhadnoideahowincrediblyinsightfulandpropheticthisstatement

turnedout tobe.ByopposingtheseApostles, theSanhedrinwas in fact fightingagainstGod.Andtheirplanandworkcontinuestoday,sometwothousandyearslaterbecauseitisabsolutelynotofhumanorigin.IthinkaboutGoodFridayandtheabsolutedevastationofthediscipleswhohadgiventheirlivestofollowwhotheyhopedwouldbetheMessiah.Then I think about the stunning revelation that the tomb in which Jesus was laid wasfoundempty– thatdeath couldnothold this Jesus. Immediately, feargaveway to faith;defeat gave way to victory. All things sad would become untrue because Jesus is alive.These apostles weren’t escaping death and changing the world because they wereawesome.ThesethingswerehappeningbecauseJesusisawesome.Christdemandsnomorethanourobedience.Hesurelywillnotfail.

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APRIL8Acts6

STHEGREATURBANLYRICISTONCESAID,“MO’MONEY,MO’PROBLEMS.”Ithinkthere’sacorollarytruthinourchurches.Mo’people.Mo’problems.We’ve

seenthegospelmessagetakeholdincommunitiesinJerusalemandpointsoutward,andmuch of the conflict we’ve seen thus far has been outside the community of faith.Generally, Jewish leaders just were not happy with the Apostles and the message theypreached.ButhereinChapter6,weseeconflictwithintheranksoftheChurch.The Hellenistic Jews felt that their widows were being overlooked in the daily

distribution of food by the Hebraic Jews. Believe it or not, cultural conflict has existedwithin the Church from her earliest days. It would be the height of privilege for us topretendthatculturalconflictdoesnotexistwithinourchurchestoday.Whenthatconflictarises, it’s important to remember the wisdom of Acts 6. The Apostles didn’t tell theHellenisticJewstositdownandbequiet.Theydidn’ttellthemtofocusonthegospelandforget about ethnic tension in their midst. They heard their complaints and mobilizedtrustedleaderstoservethechurchmoreeffectively.Ifyourchurchiscomposedofoneethnicity,onepoliticalparty,oronedemographic, it

is most likely not the gospel bringing you together – it’s one of the things I justmentioned.BecausethegospelofJesusChrist,takesoldpeopleandyoungpeople,blackpeople andwhite people, Democrats and Republicans, andmakes them a family by thebloodof Jesus.Whenwehearcomplaints frommembersofothercultures,wemust firstlisten with grace and humility then consider what action needs to be taken to find aremedyforthesolution.Theremayberestinbeingright,butthere’sjoyincompassion.

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APRIL9Acts7

TEPHENWASONEOF THE FOLKSWHO CAME IN TO SERVE AMID THE CONFLICT BETWEENHELLENISTICANDHEBRAICJEWS.

Luke records thatStephenwasperforminggreatwondersandsignsamong thepeoplewhenopposition arose. Stephenwas seized, and like theApostles before him,was drugbeforetheSanhedrin.EveryoneintheSanhedrin,lookingintentlyatStephen,sawhisfaceshinelikethatofanangel.Atthebiggest,mosttryingmomentofStephen’slife,theLordofGlorywasnear.StephenstoodbeforetheSanhedrin,filledandemboldenedbytheSpirit,anddelivered

an incredible overview of redemptive history, culminating in thework of the RighteousOnewhomhishearershaverejected.Thistime,noGamalielstooduptopreventviolence,and Stephen was dragged out of the city, stoned, and killed. Stephen became the firstChristianmartyr.Throughitall,Stephen’sfocuswasheavenward.HesawthegloryofGod.HesawJesus

standingattherighthandoftheFather.Hisfacestillshonelikeanangel.Onecouldthinkthathislifewasbeingtaken,butStephenunderstoodhislifehadalreadybeentakenbyhisSavior and Lord. With his dying breath, in the pattern of Christ, Stephen proclaimed,“Lorddonotholdthissinagainstthem!”Stephen’slifeborewitnesstothetruththatwebecomelikethatwhichwebehold.BybeholdingJesus,dayinanddayout,Stephencouldwithstandthetestofalifetime.BythepoweroftheSpirit,StephenhadbecomelikeChrist.Lukementionsthatayoungmanwaspresentandapprovedofthisexecution.Iwonder

ifheheardStephen’sdyingexclamation; Iwonder if itmovedhimatall.Soon, thisveryyoungmanwouldseetherisenLord,himself.

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APRIL10Acts8

ERUSALEM,ATTHISPOINT,ISSTILLAMAJORHUBOFGOSPELACTIVITY.It’sthecradleofJudaism–it’saplacewherethegroundworkhadalreadybeenlaid

foraworldviewthatcouldmakesenseofaMessiahwhowouldcomeforthesalvationofthenations.Jerusalemwasagoodplacetobeforthesakeofgospelmissions.InChapter8,though,anangeloftheLordspeakstoPhilipandcommandshimtohead

southonadesertroadfromJerusalemtoGaza.PhiliphadjustreturnedtoJerusalemfromministeringtomassivecrowdsinSamaria.ButnowtheLord,speakingthroughanangel,has a particular mission for Philip, and it involves heading out into the middle ofnowhere. Perhaps you’re ministering here in the great state of West Virginia andunderstand how it feels to be called out into the middle of nowhere! But Philip wasobedient,anddidastheLordcommanded.As he traveled he found an Ethiopian eunuch (get this…) reading the prophet Isaiah!

Talk about putting it on a tee… Philip, beginning with the Scripture he was reading,explainedthegoodnewsofJesus.Themanbelievedandreceivedbaptism.The gospel went to Africa, not because Philip was strategic, but because Philip was

obedient.PerhapshisencounteronadesertroadwithaeunuchfromEthiopiaboremorefruitforthegospelthanhisflashyencounterwithSimonthesorcererinSamaria.Youmayfeellikeyou’rewanderingthroughthedesert–thatGodwouldhavemoreuseforyouinaplace likeNewYorkCity orWashington,D.C. Sure,maybe you’ll endup in a place likethat one day. But today, as you travel through the middle of nowhere, keep your eyesopen.BereadytosharethegoodnewsofJesus.

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APRIL11Acts9

HAPTER9INCLUDESTHENARRATIVEOFSAUL’SFAMEDDAMASCUSROADEXPERIENCE.Breathingthreatsagainst theChurch,SaulwasonhiswaytoDamascustoround

up some followers of Jesus to bring back to Jerusalem for trial. Saul, who approved ofStephen’s execution, was a bad, bad dude and everyone knew it. Jesus interrupts hisjourney;changingthecourseofSaul’slifeandtherestofhumanhistory.Ananiasis,inmyopinion,themostunderratedfigureinChapter9.Imaginebeingthat

guy!Godcomestoyouinavision.(Icouldstopthereandsay…Imaginebeingthatguy!)ButGodisgettinghisattentionbecausehehasataskforhimthatmanywouldconsiderabit undesirable. “Rise and go to the street called Straight… look for a man of TarsusnamedSaul” (9:11). Imagine the lookonhis face.Saul!?!Yourealizehewants tokillusall, right?That’swheremymindwouldbe.Ananias respondedhumbly,making sureheunderstoodthechargecorrectly.Godresponded:“Go,forheisachoseninstrumentofminetocarrymynamebeforethe

Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him howmuch he mustsufferforthesakeofmyname”(9:15-16).Ananiaswasobedient.He facedhis fear.Hebelieved thatGodhadapurpose for even

Saul.AmIwillingtofacemyfearstoplaymypartinthemissionofGod?Perhapsitisn’talife

anddeathtypeofthing.MaybeI’mafraidofpeopleknowingmedeeplyorafraidthatifIstepoutinfaithImayfail.AmIwillingtostickupforpeoplethechurchisafraidof?DoIdaretobelievethatJesuscanuseeventheworstsinnerIknow?

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APRIL12Acts10

ETERANDAMANNAMEDCORNELIUSAREBEINGPREPAREDFORAGOSPELENCOUNTER.“So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no

partiality,butineverynationanyonewhofearshimanddoeswhatisrightisacceptabletohim'”(10:34-35).Peter, steeped in Hebraic Jewish culture, was about to be on the frontlines of a

cataclysmicevent.AveryobviouslyGentilefamilywouldenterthecovenantcommunityofGod.Fromthispointforward,thegospelwouldnotbeaprimarily“Jewish”thing.Rather,much of Acts from this point forward will be devoted to the gospel being spread andchurchesbeingplantedamongstpeoplefromGentilecultures.Peter learned,vividly,thatthegospelmessage isnot tied to any specificplace.Rather,God is seekingworshippersfromeverytribeandtongueonEarth.This is such good news for people living on North America – a continent whose

existencewas completely unknown to the Apostles! The promise of the gospel, utteredfirst in theGarden of EdenwhenGod promised that onewould come from thewomanwhowouldcrushtheheadoftheSerpent,isnotjustforJewishpeople.It’sforyoungboysinSub-SaharanAfrica.It’sgoodnewsforwomeninBangalore,Berlin,andBoston.SpendtimetodaythankingGodthathehadtheredemptionofthewholeworldinmind

fromtheverybeginning.LikemanyHebrewsofPeter’sday,wecan feelentitled.Wecanthinkthat,becausewe’refromAmerica,becausewe’remateriallywealthy,becausewehaveaccess to an unbelievable amount of resources, that we are God’s favorite people. Godshowsnofavorites.Maywerepentofentitlement,andpressintofearhimandlivealifethatisholyandacceptable.

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HESTONINGOFSTEPHENCAUSEDQUITEASTIRINTHECHURCHATJERUSALEM.“NowthosewhowerescatteredbecauseofthepersecutionthataroseoverStephen

traveledasfarasPhoeniciaandCyprusandAntioch,speakingthewordtonooneexceptJews.Butthereweresomeofthem,menofCyprusandCyrene,whooncomingtoAntiochspoketotheHellenistsalso,preachingtheLordJesus.AndthehandoftheLordwaswiththem,andagreatnumberwhobelievedturnedtotheLord”(11:19-21).This text tellsus thatsomeof the folks fromCyprusandCyrenewhocametoAntioch

andbeganspeakingtotheGreeks,proclaimingthegoodnewsofJesus.ThechurchatAntiochwouldprovetobeamissionarypowerhouse.Thiscongregation,

ledbytheSpiritofGod,laidhandsonPaulandBarnabasandsentthemoutontheirfirstmissionary journey.Thisdynamitecongregationhadhumblebeginnings.Thetextsaysacouplethingsweshouldconsider.First,theybeganspeakingtotheGreeksandproclaimingthegoodnewsabouttheLord

Jesus.These disciplesunderstood the truthof the gospel andwere compelled to spreadthismessageamongnewpeople.Whoarewebeginningtospeakto?Everynewconvertbeginswithanewconversation.Second,itsays,theLord’shandwaswiththem.Timeaftertime,Lukedemonstratesthat

thegrowthofthechurchistheresultofGod’sdesireandGod’sactivity.Theseunnamed,everydaymissionariesand their converts formed thecore teamfor thecongregation thatsentoutChristianity’smostnotedmissionary.WhatcanGoddowithyourgospelconversations?

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APRIL14Acts12

OPETERWASKEPT INPRISON,BUTEARNESTPRAYERFORHIMWASMADETOGODBYTHECHURCH”(12:5).

From this simple verse, we can learn much about the prayers of the Church. Theirprayers were five things: unbound by circumstances, fervent, specific, Godward, andcollective. Perhapswe can glean something about prayer by quickly considering each ofthese.First, their prayers weren’t bound by circumstances. James is now dead. Peter is in

prison.Thesepeoplehavenopoliticalpowerandanymeansbywhichtheycouldlogicallyhope, in their own power, to keep things rolling. But they weren’t trusting their ownpower.Theirprayersweren’tboundbycircumstance.Second, their prayers were fervent. The ESV says they were “earnest.” Too often we

simplygothroughthemotionsinourprayerlife.Facedwithunfavorablecircumstancesorthe stagnation that comeswith spiritual lethargy, our prayers are not as fervent as theyshouldbe.Third their prayerswere specific. Theywere praying “for him.” Theywere praying for

Peter. We aren’t sure exactly how specific, but we could certainly presume they wereprayingforhisreleasefromprisonforthesakeoftheChurch.Asakid,IrememberIusedto pray for thewholeworld. The sentiment is noble enough, especially for a kid, but itisn’t the most effective way to pray. God wants us to bring our requests and petitionsspecificallytohim,thathemayhearthemandhandlethemashewills.Fourth, their prayers were to God. Sure, this seems like a given, but it needs to be

noted.Theyarenotwishing,hoping,or sendingpositive vibes.Theyarepraying to theGodoftheuniverse.Fifth, their prayers were collective. The whole church prayed together. There is great

powerwhenthepeopleofGodpraytogether.

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APRIL15Acts13

HROUGHTHESECHAPTERS,WESEETHEAPOSTLEPAUL’SMISSIONARYPATHWAYS,ANDTHEREWILLBEMANYOPPORTUNITIESFORSELF-REFLECTION.

When we think about missions (whether that entails national or international churchplanting)wemustconsiderwhetherourmissionarypathwaysareinformedbyMcDonald’sortheApostlePaul.ThefirstthingwecaninferfromChapter13isthatmissionsinvolvesthewholeChurch,

notjustthevisionofthepastors.“WhiletheywereworshipingtheLordandfasting,theHolySpiritsaid,‘Setapartforme

Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting andprayingtheylaidtheirhandsonthemandsentthemoff”(13:2-3).Itseemsthat theHolySpiritspoketothewholechurch,callingBarnabasandSaulout

forspecialmissionaryservice.Inasense,everyChristianisamissionary.ThegreatBritishpreacher Charles Spurgeon is said to have quipped that every Christian is either amissionaryor an impostor. In a sense, this is absolutely true. In another sense, though,someChristiansarecalledtospecialmissionaryservicewheretheycrossintonewcultureswiththeexplicitpurposeofmakingdisciplesandplantingchurches.Perhapsthis isyou.Or, perhaps, you are amemberof a churchwho ispart ofGod’s calling and confirmingmenandwomenforthemissionarycall.Inanycase,rememberyouplayasignificantroleintheChurch,andthewholeChurchis

involvedinmissions.Spendafewmomentsinprayerforthemenandwomenservingonchurchplantingteamsinourstate.Spendafewmomentsinprayerforyourlocalchurch;thatGodwouldcalloutandequipmenandwomentoleavehomeandsharethegospelinnewplaces.

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APRIL16Acts14

HE CHURCH IS BEING BUILT UP. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ADVANCING. THE GOSPELMOVEMENTISGROWING.

Paul and his missionary team would share the gospel wherever a door was opened.Therewouldbeacceptanceorrejection.TheywouldspendsometimewithnewbelieversequippingthemtobedisciplesofJesusandentrustingthemtoGod.Themissionaryteamwould leavebut later return toencourage thebelieversandhelp train their leaders.Paulwould then trust theHolySpirit to lead thechurchesas the teamdeparts,buthewouldkeepsomesortofcontactfortheremainderofhisministry.Paul’schurchplantingpathwaywouldhavelookedsomethinglikethis:Gospel Presented and Accepted L New Believers L New Churches Formed L Leaders

DevelopedtoLeadtheseChurchesLPermanentRelationshipbetweenPaulandtheChurchThis church planting pathway is refreshingly simple. It doesn’t cost a lot ofmoney. It

doesn’t require a bunch of musicians or an amazing preacher. It requires a team ofmissionarieswhocommittolovingthepeopletowhomthey’resentoverthelonghaul.Whatwoulditlooklikeifourchurchplantingeffortslookedmorelikethis?Yourchurch

can do this. You can send a couple families to a new town to love their neighbors andshare the gospel. Those who respond can be gathered into a small group. That smallgroup can be taught what it means to be a church and can begin to adopt biblicalleadershipandregularobservanceofthesacraments.Anewchurchcanbeformed!

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APRIL17Acts15(Part1)

OWMUCHOFJUDAISMDOESAGENTILEHAVETOADOPTTOBECOMEACHRISTIAN?TheymustvaluetheLawinsomedegree,buttowhatdegreemusttheyobeyit?

In Chapter 10 when a Roman centurion of the Italian cohort came to faith, nothing ismentionedofdietaryrestrictions.NothingismentionedofbecomingJewish.As different factions within the Church lobbied for the necessity of circumcision and

other religious rites, the burgeoning faith’s heavy hitters gathered in Jerusalem toconsiderhowthechurchwouldleadonthisissue.Intheproceedingsofthecouncil,JameswouldhavetoconvincethePharisees thatcircumcision isnotrequired fornewconverts,andthroughtheWordofGod,theSpiritofGod,andthetestimonyofGod,hedoesjustthat. Far from offending the culturally Jewish among them, the JerusalemCouncil ruledthat theGentilesshouldberespectfulofculturaldifferencesandavoidsexual immoralityandcertainfoods.When the gospel and cultural preferences collide, the gospel won. The Jerusalem

Council stands as a victory of truth and grace. The clarity of the gospel is upheld, theinclusivityofthegospelisupheld,andthenuanceofculturaldifferenceisunderstood.The gospel must not die on the altar of our preferences. We must realize that every

culture has its redeeming qualities and its blind-spots.We need each other. Remember,today, thatwedonotknowitall.Perhapsallofuswouldwantourchurchestobemorelikeus,conformedmoretoourimage.ButtogetherwemustsubmitfirsttotheScriptures,then to one another, learning and growing in an atmosphere of mutual respect andmissionalcooperation.

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APRIL18Acts15(Part2)

HEGOSPELISFARTOOGREATFORANYDEPARTUREFROMITTOBETAKENLIGHTLY.When“somemen”camepreachingafalsegospelofsalvationbyworks,“Pauland

Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them” (15:2). Not only Paul andBarnabas, but the other elders and apostles also joined in aswell.After “muchdebate,”Peterargued,“webelievethatwewillbesavedthroughthegraceoftheLordJesus,justastheywill”(15:11).AndthankGodtheydid!Hadthisdebatebeenlost, thegospelwouldneverhavemadeittoourstateandnotoneofuswouldknowJesus.Many in our day tend to grow bored with doctrine and think debate an unnecessary

source of dissension while others love arguing doctrine and eagerly divide over non-essentials.WhatathrillingandstarkcontrastActs15portraysforusall!The result of this council’s doctrinal debate was unity, “having come to one accord”

(15:25), joy,“they rejoicedbecauseof itsencouragement”(15:31),andpeace,“theyweresent off in peace” (15:33). No one left licking their wounded egos; no one leftdisinterestedandbored.Whatabiblicalmodelandgoal forourdiscussionsanddebatesovertheologywithbrothersandsisters!Maywelovethegospelenoughtocontendforandguardhealthydoctrine,andmaywe

loveoneanotherenoughtoprayforandpursueunity,joyandpeaceasaresult.

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APRIL19Acts16:1-5

HATDIFFICULTDECISIONSHAVEYOUMADETOSHARETHEGOSPELWITHYOURNEIGHBORS?EarlierinActs14:7,PaulcamepreachingthegospelinTimothy’shometownof

LystraandTimothyrespondedinfaith.WeknowthisbecausePaullatercallsTimothy“mytruesoninthefaith”(1Timothy1:2).TimothycountedthecostoffollowingJesus.WhenTimothyheardPaulpreach thegospel,he

sawPaul get stoned, draggedoutof the city, and left fordead, and then limpback intotown tokeeppreaching the gospel (Acts14:19-21).Timothyhad a front row seat to therisk of following Jesus. Timothy counted the cost of following Jesus. And Timothy stillsaid“yes”tofollowingJesus.HaveyoucountedthecostoffollowingJesus?Jesusinviteseveryonetocomeandfollow

him,andheisgoingtoacross(Mark8:34).ThisiswhatitmeanstobeadiscipleofJesus.Inourstate,whenwehear theword“disciple”manypeople thinkonlyofsomeonewhoattendschurchonSundaysandBiblestudyonceaweek.WhenTimothyheard“disciple,”whatdidhethink?TimothythoughtofsomeonewhoriskseverythingtofollowJesus.Timothypaidthepriceofdiscipleship. If itwouldhelp advance the gospel among the Jews,

Timothywaswillingtobecircumcised(Acts16:3).ThemarkofafollowerofJesusisthis:theydonotmeasurethepotentialinconvenienceoftheworkaheadofthem,theymeasurethepotential impactoftheworkaheadofthem.It isnowonderPaulwantedTimothytoaccompanyhim.WhatmightGodbecallingyou tocutoutofyour life inorder tobemoreeffective in

evangelisminyourtown?

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APRIL20Acts16:6-40

RETHEREANYPEOPLEORGROUPSYOUHAVEWRITTENOFFINYOURCOMMUNITY?OfallthechurchesPaulplanted,thechurchatPhilippistoodoutasashiningstar

of generosity and perseverance through suffering. Yet this faithful churchwas begun byGod’sworkinaplaceandamongapeoplewewouldneverexpect.Godworksintheplacesweleastexpect.Paulhadhisplansmadeandhiscoursesetwhenhe

wasinterruptedbyavisionfromGodcallinghimtopreachthegospelinMacedonia.ThiswasaplacePaulhadnotplannedtogo.Godworksintheplacesweleastexpect.WestVirginiaoftenmakesthetopofthe list indepression,addiction,andobesity,and

thebottomofthelistinexpectations.WhatifthisbecameforusavisionofGodworkingin themost unlikely places?Are there places in your community you have intentionallyavoidedorrarelyconsideredthatareripeforGod’swork?Godworksamongthepeopleweleastexpect.Paulshared thegospelwithawealthyreligious

businesswoman(16:11-15),castademonoutofaslavegirl(Acts16:16-18),andrescuedasuicidaljailer(Acts16:25-34).FromthehumblebeginningofthisunlikelycrewthechurchatPhilippiwasborn.ItistotheseunexpectedgospelpartnersofhumblebeginningsthatPaullaterpromisesthisgloriousfuture,“IamsureofthisthathewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillbringittocompletionatthedayofJesusChrist”(Philippians1:6).Godworksamongthepeopleweleastexpect.WhatifGodisreadytobeginagoodworkinthepeopleyouleastexpect?Whynotpray

forGodtodojustthat?

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APRIL21Acts17

HE POWER AND EFFECT OF A SERMON DOES NOT LIE IN THE SKILL OR GIFTING OF THEPREACHERALONE,BUTALSOINTHESKILLANDPRACTICEOFTHOSEWHOLISTENWELL.

DoyoulistentotheWordpreachedwitheagerreceptivityanddailyexamination?ThereisanexaminingofpreachingthatissocriticalalleagernessinreceivingtheWord

islost.WithoutreceptivitytotheWordpreached,ourheartswillnotbeengaged.Ontheflipside, there’s an eagerness that is so receptive to theWord taught that all the fruit ofexaminingtheScriptures is lost.WithouteagerlyexaminingtheScriptures forourselves,ourgrowthwillonlycomevicariously.EagerlyreceivetheWord.Ifthesermonisfromaspecifictext,studythepassageeveryday

for a week in advance in community. What if next Sunday when the Word is opened,you’ve already outlined the text, searched for the author’s intent, andwrestled with itsmeaningandapplicationincommunity?Youcannowlisteneagerlytoseewhatyouhavemissedandtoapplywhatyou’veseen.Thisworks for topical sermonsaswell.Leadingup to the sermonwhatScriptures can

you find about the topic?What questions do you have about the topic?Daily studyingandexamininginacommunityofbelieverswithaneagerexpectationwillutterlychangetheeffectivenessoftheWordreceivedonSunday.ExaminetheScripturesdailytosee.Thebestofpreachingneverreplacesourhungerforthe

Scripturesbutonly stokes and supplementsoureager awe for theWordofGodand theGodoftheWord.Thebestofpreachinggivesuseyestoseewhat’salreadyintheWord.

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APRIL22Acts18

HENPAULOPENEDHISMOUTH INCORINTHTOSPEAKABOUTJESUS,HEWASOPPOSED,REVILED, AND READY TO LEAVE (18:5-6), BUT A WORD FROM GOD WITH TWO

POWERFULPROMISESSTOPPEDHIMINHISTRACKS.“Donotbeafraid…forIamwithyou.“If the living God actually dwells with us, how could fear ever be reasonable?Where

mightyougo(orstay) ifyouwerecertainGodwaswithyou,Godwouldnot leaveyou,and God would never forsake you? This promise is not for Paul alone, but for everydiscipleJesushascommissionedtomakedisciples(Matthew28:28-20).

“…forIhavemanyinthiscitywhoaremypeople”ForaslongasthegospelisthepowerofGodforsalvation(Romans1:16),thisWordis

true for you asmuch as itwas true for Paul. This promise led Paul to stay for eighteenmonthslongerthanplannedtokeeptalkingaboutJesus.Manypeopleare leavingourgreat stateeveryyear.The reasons to leaveWestVirginia

makethepressmoreoftenthanthereasonstostay.Butwhatdifferencemight itmake ifwebelieved1.)God iswithus, and2.) therearemanypeople in this statewhowill calluponthenameoftheLordifwearenotafraid,butgoonspeakingaboutJesus?

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APRIL23Acts19

PRAWLING IN THE SHADOW OF THE PAGAN GODDESS DIANA’S TEMPLE, EPHESUSWAS AMELTINGPOTOFRELIGION,PHILOSOPHY,ANDSPIRITUALITYFROMALLOVERTHEWORLD.

The resulting culture of this city, steeped in spirituality, and relativism, presented itsChristianinhabitantswithchallengesverysimilartothosefacedinourculturetoday.Yetratherthanfleeingfromsuchaculture,PaulstayedlongerinEphesusthananyothercity,speakingboldlyuntilalltheresidentsofAsiaheardtheWordoftheLord(19:1-10).Doyouseethechallengesoftheneighborhoodaroundyouasreasontofleeorcausetostay?AsPaulstayedandspokeboldly,theWordoftheLordincreasedandprevailedmightily,

and thepeopleofEphesusbegan cleaningout their closets.Theygatheredupall of theidols they had previously worshipped and started a bonfire costing over $8,000,000(19:11-20).Ifthishappenedinourstate,howmuchwouldweburn?Ifthishappenedinyourhome,whatwouldyou

burn?Aspeopleturnedto Jesusandawayfromtheirsin,certainbusinesses faced insolvency.

(Acts19:21-41).Theypitchedtheirfinancialdilemmatothetownasspiritualintolerance,startedamob,andpickeduptwenty-fivethousandconfusedriotersalongtheway.Similarly, many in our state do not like Jesus because he directly conflicts with their

agenda—their sin, their religion,or theirbadbusiness.Others areuninformed,but theyresist Jesus because ofmisconceptions, bad experiences, false teachers, or because theydon’twanttogoagainstthecrowd.IftheWordoftheLordincreasedandprevailedmightilyinthisstatehowmightitshiftthereligious

landscapeandeconomyofthearea?

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APRIL24Acts20

AUL REMAINED IN EPHESUS LONGER THAN IN ANYOTHER PLACE, PLANTING THE GOSPELUNTILTHEENTIRESURROUNDINGREGIONHEARDTHEGOSPEL.

“Ineverycity…afflictionsawaitme”(20:23)Paul is leaving Ephesus and he knows he will not see his brothers again in this life

(20:25). Paul is uncertain of all that awaits him ahead (20:22).What he is certain of isfacingimprisonmentandafflictionandevendeath(20:23,25).Thereissomethinggreaterto Paul than escaping imprisonment and affliction. There is something even greater toPaulthanholdingontolifeitself.“IfonlyImayfinishmycourseandtheministrythatIreceivedfromtheLordJesus”(20:24)What is greater than avoiding suffering or holding into life? Faithfulness to the Lord.

Where lustof theeyes, lustof the flesh,andtheboastfulprideof lifeseektosatisfyourbest life here and now, Paul has his eyes fixed on a greater good than life itself:faithfulness.HowmightourheartscometoseewithPaulfaithfulnesstoGodasagreaterpursuitthanhealth,wealth,andthepursuitofhappiness?“TotestifytothegospelofthegraceofGod”(20:24)Faithfulness toGod is known to be greater than lifewhen the grace ofGod is known

through the gospel. If Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death and glorious resurrectionaccomplishedourrighteousness,satisfiedGod’swrath,andtransferredusintotheeternalkingdomofGod,thenfaithfulnesstoGodisonethinggreaterthanourverylives.Youcancountonit.

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APRIL25Acts21

AULLEFTEPHESUSFOR JERUSALEM.APROPHETBROUGHTHIMAWORDFROMTHEHOLYSPIRIT, THATHEWOULD BE BOUND ANDDELIVERED INTO THEHANDSOF THE GENTILES

(21:10).Whenhisbrothersheardthis,theypleadedwithPaulnottogotoJerusalem.Hereplied

with theseboldwords, “Whatareyoudoing,weepingandbreakingmyheart?For I amready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the LordJesus”(21:13).Afterhearinghisresolve,thebelieversrepliedwithaprayer,“LetthewilloftheLordbe

done”(21:14).They learned this prayer from Jesus. First, when asked how to pray, Jesus taught his

disciples topray thisway in theLord’sprayer (Matthew6:10).Second, in theGardenofGethsemaneontheeveofhisdeath,JesushimselfprayedthisprayertohisFather:“Yourwillbedone”(Matthew26:42b).AndatthewillofGod,thatdarkestdayofhumanhistory—the crucifixion of the Son of God—became the brightest dawn in human history—thesalvationofthepeopleofGod.NotallofuswillfaceimprisonmentordeathforthenameoftheLordJesus,butevery

oneofusfacesthemoment-by-momentdecisionofwhetherornottoliveforthenameofthe Lord Jesus. We can live our lives anxiously avoiding risk, avoiding threats to oursecurity,control,andcomfortintenthousandmomentseachday.Orwecanliveourlivesfor the name of the Lord Jesus by casting our lives upon the prayer he taught andmodeled,“LetthewilloftheLordbedone!”ItisneverfoolishtoentrustyourfuturetothelivingGod.

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APRIL26Acts22

AUL’SSTORYOFCONVERSION,THOUGHEXCEPTIONALLYEXTRAORDINARY,ISSTILLAHELPFULMODELFORORDINARYCHRISTIANSTODAYWHOARESHARINGTHEIRCONVERSIONSTORY.

First, ineveryaccountofPaul’sconversion,it isevidentthatJesusistheheroofPaul’ssalvation.ChristiansrecountingtheirstoryofconversionshouldfollowPaul’sexampleinmaking Jesus himself the hero of their conversion story and not their own works ofrighteousness.Second, Paul shares his conversion story in a way that is contextual to his particular

audience.WhenstandingbeforeKingAgrippa,PaulemphasizesdetailsofhisconversionthatwouldbemorecompellingtoGentiles.HeemphasizesGodsenthimtoopentheeyesofGentiles (26:17), and does notmention the “children of Israel.” But inActs 22whenstanding before the tribunal with a predominately Jewish people as his audience, PaulemphasizesdetailsofhisconversionthatwouldbemostcompellingtoJews.HeincludesthatAnanias(adevoutJew)bothattestedtoandparticipatedinhisconversion.While every Christian experiences only one conversion, there are different aspects of

theirstorythatwillprovemoreengagingandhelpfultoparticularpeoplewithwhomtheyare sharing thegospel.Theaim isnot to retell theexact samedetails in theexact samemanner,buttoknowyouraudience,andshareyourconversionstoryinawaythatwouldmostservetheconversionoredificationofyourlisteners.Lastly, Paul’s conversion story loudly proclaims there is no onebeyond the bounds of

God’sgrace.Anysin—howeveregregiousorpersistent—thatisconfessedandrepentedofcan be forgiven, and anyone—however sinful or hardened—like Paul, can receive a newlife,anewidentity,andanewmissionfromJesus.

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SPAULSATINAJAILCELLALONE—BEATEN,REJECTED,ANDUNCERTAINOFTHEFUTUREONONEOFTHEDARKESTNIGHTSOFHISLIFE—THELORDJESUSCAMEANDSTOODBYHIM.

“Takecourage,forasyouhavetestifiedtothefactsaboutmeinJerusalem,soyoumusttestifyalsoinRome”(23:11).Earlier,PaulhadreceivedvisionsofJesus,buthereJesusphysicallycametoprisonand

stoodbyPaultotellhimthisoneword,“Courage!”HowmustthatonewordfromJesusstrengthenedPaul’ssoul?InalltheNewTestamentonlyJesusspeaksthisphrase:

Courage!Jesusforgivessin(Matthew9:2).Courage!FaithinJesusbringseternalhealing(Matthew9:22).Courage!ThepresenceofJesusdispelsfear(Matthew14:27).Courage!Jesusisgreaterthantheworld(John16:33).Courage!JesusassuresPaulthemissionwillbecompleted(2Timothy4:17).

Courage is Christ’s personal word for all who are trying to follow him, fraught withweakness,filledwithsin,uncertainofthefuture,afraidoftheircircumstances,andanxiousof impending failure. Stay at home mom, when your kids whom you love areoverwhelmingyou—“Courage!”Whenyouarewallowingintheguiltofsinyousworeyouwouldnevercommit—“Courage!”With the courage of Christ, Paul did arrive in Rome as a prisoner. By means of his

imprisonment, Paul ended up before kings, where he preached the gospel through hissufferingandimprisonment.There is no greater ground of courage than knowing that the worst of your

circumstancescanbeturnedbyJesustoadvancethegospel.EveryproblemisaplatformtoshareJesus.Courage!

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HESECHAPTERS TELLOF THE YEARSOF IMPRISONMENTAND TRIALS PAUL FACED,WHICHFINALLYCULMINATEDINANAUDIENCEWITHKINGAGRIPPAHIMSELF.

Thismeetingwasadivineappointmentforsharingthegospel.AtPaul’sconversionGodpromised, “he isa chosen instrumentofmine tocarrymynamebefore theGentilesandkings and children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Standing here before King Agrippa, by theprovidence of God, all of Paul’s years of suffering had worked together to advance thepurposeandpromiseofGodtobringthenameofChristbeforekings.However longaseasonofsufferingyoumayendure,whatGodhaspromisedGodwill

accomplish.Godworksthingsoutsuchthatsufferingisnoobstacletohispurposeinhischildren,butsufferingismadetoservetheverypurposesofGodinfulfillinghispromisestohischildren(Romans8:28-29).ThomasWatsonwritesofthejoythatshouldfillourheartsinviewofGod’sfaithfulness

tohispromisestohispeople:“Toknowthatnothinghurtsthegodly,isamatterofcomfort;buttobeassuredthatallthingswhichfalloutshallco-operatefortheirgood,thattheircrossesshallbeturnedintoblessings,thatshowersofafflictionwaterthewitheringrootoftheirgraceandmakeitflourishmore;thismayfilltheirheartswithjoytilltheyrunover.”Areyoufacingaseasonofsuffering?Whatjoyfulendurancemaycomefromrecognizing

God is at work even in your suffering to accomplish his good purposes and fulfill hispromisestoandthroughhispeople.

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APRIL29Acts27-28:1-10

ORONEFINALJOURNEY,PAULTHEPRISONERSETSAILTOWITNESSBEFORECAESAR.Duringthevoyage,aviolentstormthreatenedtodestroyallonboard.Anangelof

the Lord promised Paul neither he nor anyone on board would lose their lives in thestorm, for God had sent Paul to stand before Caesar. With this promise of protectionringinginhisears,Paulproceededtowarntheothers,“Unlessthesemenstayintheship,youcannotbesaved”(Acts27:31).Paul’swarningdidnotunderminethepromiseofGod,but such a warning served as one means of accomplishing the promise of God. Thewarningskeptthemenfromlosingtheirlives.This story is helpful as we consider the rest of Scripture where God has given both

promises andwarnings to his people—promises, to continue thework he has begun inthemuntilitscompletion(Philippians1:6),andwarnings,thatthosewhoshrinkbackwillbe destroyed (Hebrews 10:39). The warnings of God’s Word do not undermine thepromisesofGod,butthewarningsareonemeansGodusestoaccomplishhispromises.ThewarningskeepGod’schildrenfaithfultotheend.MayweheedthewarningsofGodandholdfasttothepromisesofGodinfaith!

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APRIL30Acts28:11-31

ROMTHEMOMENTHEMETJESUS(ACTS9),PAULWASNEARLYALWAYSONTHEMOVE.Inthisclosingpassage,Paul’stravelshavefinallycometoanend.SinceActs19:21

PaulsethisfacetowardRome,andnowhismissionwasfulfilledashearrivedinthegreatcityofRome,the“endsoftheearth.”ThiswasnomerefulfillmentofPaul’smission,butofJesus’commission(1:8,9:15).There at Rome, Paul welcomed all who came to him, and to all those whom he

welcomedheproclaimedtheKingdomofGodandtaughtabouttheLordJesusChristjustashehadfaithfullydonefromthemomenthefirstencounteredtherisenJesus(9:20).WhenwefirstmetPaulhewasafreemanonawarpathtobindandchainthegospel.As

Actscloses,Paulhimselfisinbonds,buttheWordoftheLordistriumphing,unhinderedandunfetteredtotheendsoftheearth.Paul’sstorythenendsnotfocusedonPaul,butontheWordoftheLordJesusChrist,thetrueheroandfocusofbothPaulandActs.As Jesus commissioned Paul, he has commissioned us tomake disciples of this same

Jesusbythissamegospel(Matthew28:18-20).ByGod’sgrace,mayweaswell fulfill thecommissionGodhasgivenusuntil theend, leavingnoquestionJesushasbeenthetrueheroofourlives.

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MAY1Romans1:7-12

AUL SHARES THREE ASPECTS OFWHAT ITMEANS FOR US TO BE THE CHURCH OF JESUSCHRISTINAWORLDTHATISHOSTILETOOURFAITH.

Paul points out that the faith we have in Jesus, although personal, is not private.Whatever is being reported about oneof us affects all the others. In this case, Paulwasgiving thanksgiving and praise that the faith of the Christians at Romewas being seenpositively.Theirfaithwasbeingspokenofthroughouttheworld.Howsaditiswhenthatisnotthecasetoday.Whenabelieverfallstotheschemesofthe

evil one, the reputation of the entire Church of Jesus suffers from it. Paul said he wastirelessly remembering the Roman believers in his prayers. Perhaps the real reason thatchurches are stagnant, decaying, and in some cases, dying, is because of the sin ofprayerlessness. Prayer meetings are the power plants of any church. When the prayermeeting is neglected, it is nowonder believers fall victim to thewiles of the enemy.Asbelievers, we must remember our shared responsibility to pray for each other. NeverforgetthatSatanisoutthere“likearoaringlion,seekingwhomhemaydevour!”(1Peter5:8)Finally, Paul expressed his fervent desire tomeet personally with the believers in the

churchatRome.ForPaul,corporateworshipwasnotanoption.OurSavior isworthyofourworship.Hetellsusthatwhenevertwoormorearegatheredtogetherinhisname,heisthere,inthemidstofthem(Matthew18:20).Start today by taking inventory of your personal commitment to your brothers and

sistersinChrist,inandthroughthelocalchurch!

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MAY2Romans1:18-21

NGRATITUDEISANAFFRONTTOTHEGOODNESSOFGOD.PerhapsthegreatestproblemsinAmericatodayarenotthecrimes,murders,broken

homes, drug abuse, pornography and gambling addictions that flood our newsbroadcasts. These things are not the real issue. They aremerely symptoms of a deeperproblem.The source of so many of these problems is ingratitude. As Romans 1:18 says, it is

readilyobservablethatwearehereascreationsofGod,inaworldthatwascreatedforusbyGod.Therefore,theveryleastwecandoistorecognizehimasGodandgivehimthethanksthatishisrightfuldue.It is the refusal tobe thankful that leadsus todiscontent.Discontentment leadsus to

waste our time and resources seeking what we do not have, need, or even really want.Discontent is a never-ending pursuit of other things, in hopes they will fulfill us. It isdiscontentedness that eventually manifests itself in all of the negative behaviors listedabove.Want to change your life for the better?Develop the daily habits of thanksgiving and

praise.Whenyoudo,therewon’tbemuchtimeoropportunityfordiscontentment!

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MAY3Romans2:28-29

N UNCIRCUMCISED HEART MUST BE HUMBLED BY ACCEPTING ONE’S OWN GUILT ANDCHOOSINGTOREPENTBEFOREGOD.

In Leviticus 26, God speaks to his people about themany blessings he will pour outuponthemiftheykeephiscommandmentsand“walkinhisstatutes”(26:3).Godsaysitisnotenoughtohavegoodintentions,unlesstheyarecarriedout.It isourobediencethatdemonstratesourfaithfulness.In other words, what you do outwardly signifies what you believe inwardly.

Nevertheless,thoseactionsmustariseoutofaheartthat isdevotedtoGod’sWord.TheresultsofdisobedienceareseeninLeviticus26:14andfollowing.Then, in verses 40-41, God explicitly says that those actions are the result of an

uncircumcised heart.WhatGod really desires of us is that our hearts be humble beforehim.Itisrepentancethatallowsforhisforgivenessandcleansing.Then,whenourheartsare right,Leviticus26:42saysGodwill rememberhis covenantwithAbraham, IsaacandJacobonourbehalf.Thankyou,Father,forcircumcisingmyheartandadoptingmeintothecovenantpromisesofAbraham!

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MAY4Romans3:19-20

OWMANYTIMESHAVEYOUHEARDSOMEONESAY,“WELL,IKNOWI’MNOTPERFECT,BUTITRYTOBEAGOODPERSON?”

Here is the real problem with that statement: By whose standards do you determinewhatitmeanstobeagoodperson?The standards of most people range from being kind to animals, to giving to good

causes,totryingtobeagoodproviderforthefamily.Takenontheirownmerits,thoseareallgoodthings,butdoinggoodthingsdoesn’treallymakeyoua“goodperson.”If it did, thenhowmanygood thingswould youhave todo? Isn’t that the essenceof

whatmostpeoplebelieve it takestomake it toheaven?Isn’t it justaboutdoingenoughgoodthingstooutweighallthebadthingsyou’vedone?TheBiblesaysthestandardsforwhatitmeanstobegoodarenotarbitrary.Theyarenot

ours to set. God has set the standard and that standard is outlined in the TenCommandments!Jesus said the greatest of those is to “love the Lord yourGodwith all your heart and

withallyourmindandwithallyourstrength.”Idon’tknowanyonewho’sperfectlykeptthatone,doyou?That is why Jesus gave this response to the rich young ruler who called him, “good

teacher”.ItisrecordedinMatthew19:17:“Whydoyoucallmegood?Nooneisgoodbutone,thatisGod.”ThankGodthisdayforJesus,theonlybegottenoftheFather,fullofgraceandtruth!

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MAY5Romans4:1-3

DON’TBELIEVETHAT!THAT’SJUSTTOOEASY!”THATISOFTENTHERESPONSEWHENSHARINGTHESIMPLEGOSPELMESSAGEWITHANUNBELIEVER.ANDTHEYARERIGHTABOUTONETHING-

ITISEASY!GodgavethepeopleofIsraeltheMosaiccodeofanimalsacrificesandritualsthathadto

be carried out for sin to be atoned. But just like the Ten Commandments given earlier,Israelwasprovenincapableoffulfillingthem.The apostle Peter responded to the question ofwhetherGentiles had to become Jews

andfulfillthelawinordertobesavedinActs15:10-11:“Nowtherefore,whydoyoutestGodbyputtingayokeontheneckofthediscipleswhichneitherourfathersnorwewereable tobear?Butwebelieve that through thegraceof theLord JesusChristweshallbesavedinthesamemannerasthey.”Thankyou,God,forgivingusawayofsalvationthatissosimpleachildcanreceiveitandsoamazing

thataPh.D.canneverfigureitout!

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MAY6Romans5:1-2

WONDERHOWMUCHPEACEANDREJOICINGWOULDCOSTIFYOUCOULDPURCHASETHEMINASTORE.The Bible tells us that both of these are just the by-products of the grace we have,

throughourfaithinJesus.Thatisincredible!Millionsofpeopleprobablyspendbillionsofdollarsseekingjustone

of these commodities. They are disappointed, no doubt, when discovering that thecoveted tickets, thenewcar, thehouse,or the luxuryvacation theypurchasedhas eitherfaded out of consciousness, or lost the allure, just like everything else that is no longershinyandnew.FaithinJesusbringsthegraceofGodandalltheaddedbonuses,likethepeaceandjoy

we just mentioned. But that is just the beginning (as the announcer would say at thistime):Butwait!There’smore!Lateron, inGalatians5,weseeallkindsofotherbenefitstheBiblereferstoasthe“fruitoftheSpirit.”Thankyou,Lord,foralltheaddedbenefitsofyourmatchlessgrace!

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MAY7Romans5:3-5

EGLORYINTRIBULATIONS!WHOWOULDEVERBELIEVETHAT?Whywouldanyonegloryintribulations?TheApostlePaulwritesthatwecando

so because of what arises out of those tribulations. Many people avoid tribulation andsufferingatallcosts.AsChristians,Iamnotsayingthatweshouldseekorpursuethem.However,theBibletellsusthatthetrialsandsufferingsweendureasservantsofChrist

are notwithoutmerit.As I said,most peoplewant to avoid tribulations at all cost, butthatisbecausetheyareconvincedtheywilllosesomethingasaresult.Paultellsusthateventhesufferings,trials,andtribulationsweexperienceinlifearenot

withoutprofit tous in this life.Hesays that far fromsuffering lossasa result, theywillactuallybenefitusbyaddingthingsthatarepricelessandenduring.Perseverance, character, and an enduring hope are the results of patient endurance

throughtrialsandtribulations.James1:2-4tellsusthatweshouldeven“countitall joy”whensuchthingsoccurinourlives.Father,pleasehelpmetoseethatthroughyourgrace,tribulationwilladdto,ratherthantakefrom,my

lifeinChrist!

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MAY8Romans5:6-9

VENTHOUGHWEWEREUNGODLY,CHRISTDIEDFORUS.HOWWONDERFULISTHAT?Knowingfullwellthatwewerenotworthyofhisgraceandnotpowerfulenoughto

securehisgrace,GoddemonstratedhislovebysendingJesustodieforusanyway!Manytimespeopleoftensay,“Well,Idon’twanttorespondtoJesus,becauseIknowI

amunworthy/unable__________(youfillintheblank)towalkwithJesusafterIamsaved,andIdon’twanttobeconsideredahypocrite.”TheBible showsus the fallacyof thatkindof thinking. In thegospel,wehave a clear

demonstration of God’s love for us. Thatmeans there is no reasonwe cannot come toJesusandreceiveGod’sgrace.ThegospelisthedemonstrationofGod’slovenotademonstrationofourworthinessor

ability.Thankyou,Father,forclearlyshowingmethegospelisallaboutyouandyourpowerandability,not

mine!

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MAY9Romans5:18-19

ANYPEOPLEDONOTBELIEVETHATJESUS’DEATHONTHECROSSCOULDSOMEHOWPAYTHEPENALTYOFOURSIN.

If that is the case, itmeans theymust not accept the Genesis account of Adam’s fall.Genesis3:17explainswhatPauldiscussesagaininRomans8:20-21.There,he says thewhole creationwas subjected to futility becauseofAdam’s sin.The

creationonly produces thorns and thistles for us. Because oneman tragically disobeyedGod,nowalloflifeishardwork!But, praiseGod, therewas anothermanwho came as the redeemer.He has promised

notonlytoredeemusfromthewagesofsin,buttoredeemallofcreation,aswell!Do you see the cosmic implications of all that? Jesus’ death on the cross is powerful

enough todo farmore than justpaying theprice forour sinand rebellionagainstGod.Hisdeathonthecross,andresurrectionfromthedead, isa foretasteandforeshadowingofhowallofcreationwillberemade,renewed,andrestored.Wow!Thankyou,Father,thatthedeath,burial,andresurrectionofJesus isfarmorepowerfulthanI

couldeverask,think,orimagine!

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MAY10Romans6:1-4

OMEVERSIONOFTHEPHRASE,“WEAREBURIEDINTHELIKENESSOFHISDEATH,TOWALKINTHENEWNESSOFHISLIFE”ISOFTENQUOTEDATBAPTISMS.THATISAGREATSTATEMENTOF

TRUTH.Nevertheless,thegreatnessofthetruthislostifweleaveitjustasastatement.Itshould

bemuchmore thanastatement.That truthshouldbe livedasa lifestyle.Baptismisnottheendof theChristian testimony. It is thebeginningofagrandandbrandnewwayoflife.Wearesonsanddaughtersoftheredeemed!Wearemorethanconquerors!Wearehis

ownchosenpeople!OurlivesshouldreflectthattheresurrectionofJesuswasaforetasteofwhatweourselveswillexperiencewhenhereturnsforus.Thereisnomoretimetowasteinthefoolishdesiresoftheflesh.Wehavearesurrection

toreflect!Lord,helpmylifebecomeareflectionofthewonderfulrealityoftheresurrectionofmySaviorandLord.

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MAY11Romans6:20-23

HENWEWERESLAVESOFSIN,WEPRESENTEDOURBODIESASSLAVESOFUNCLEANNESSANDLAWLESSNESS,WHICHLEDTOMORELAWLESSNESS.

Romans 6:20-23 tells us the opposite of that is also true. Now we are living lives ofholiness in Christ andmoving tomore andmore holiness becausewe are coming evernearertotheSavior.PraiseGod!This is what many people do not understand. The Christian life is never lived by

coasting.There isno such thing as remaining in spiritualneutral.Evenwhen you thinkyouarejustspinningyourwheels,youareactuallyindrive.Your thoughts, intentions, and actions are taking you somewhere. All that you are

thinking, planning and doing is either leading you nearer to the Lord or taking youfurtherfromhim.ThosewhobelievetheyarejustcoastingthroughlifewithoutChristdonotrealizethat

wheneveryouaretravelingoncoast,itmeansyouaregoingdownhill.Thankyou,Father,formakingmylifeapurposefulpursuitinChrist.

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MAY12Romans7:18-20

N MY YEARS UPON THIS EARTH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE ONLY ONE, TRUE,CONSISTENTABILITY.IAMAPROFESSIONALATMESSINGTHINGSUP!

Itisn’tthatIwanttomessthingsup;Itrulydesiretomakethingsbetterformyfamilyandfriendsandthosearoundme.Thetroubleis,trymybest,Ican’tseemtodothingsthewayIwantthemtoturnout.

Evenwith the very best intentions,my physical limitations and knowledge come so farshortofwhatIattempt.PraiseGod,he isn’t limitedbymypunyabilitiesand ineptitudes!That iswhymybest

planofattack,inanyendeavor,istogetmyownfingersoutofthepie(sotospeak)andpraytotheonewhodoesallthingswell.Jesus said it best in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profitsnothing.”Thankyou,HolyFather,thatIcanplacemyconfidenceinyou,whereitbelongs!

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MAY13Romans8:1-2

OCONDEMNATIONINCHRIST?IAMDECLAREDNOTGUILTY?What an amazing thing that God doesn’t hold our sins against us (see 2

Corinthians5:19)!ThisisthefreedomspokenofinGalatians,aswell.Wearenotwalkinginfearoffalling

backintothegraspoftheevilone,becausewearewalkingaccordingtotheSpiritofthelawoflife,inChristJesus.Knowing Jesus means you have a personal relationship with the judge of all things.

Furthermore,heisalsoyourdefenseattorneyandtheonesittinginthejurybox.There isno reason to feardeath and judgement any further.Christ, our advocatewith

theFather,hasalreadydeterminedtheverdictandoutcomeofourlives.Andthesentenceis...everlastinglifewiththeFather.Thankyou,God,thatmyonly“lifesentence”iseternallifewithyou,inJesus’name!

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MAY14Romans8:18-19

REN’TCATERPILLARSKINDOFCREEPY(PUNINTENDED)?They are completelyboundby their surroundings.Whether they are attached to

the sides of a tree or earthbound, their bodies are always attached to something. Theycrawlaround,seeminglyunawareofexactlywheretheyaregoing.Andtheyalwaysseemtobeeating.Theyareconstantlyabsorbedintheprocessofeither

consumingsomethingorseekingsomethingelseuponwhichtochowdown,poorthings.Therejustisn’tmuchelsetothelifeofacaterpillar.Butaftercompletingthecycleoflife,

and climbing from their cocoons, they emerge as almost entirely different creatures!Nolongerearthoreventree-bound,theyarefreetothelimitlesssphereoftheskies!TheApostlePaultellsusitwillbemuchlikethatforthoseofuswhoareinChrist.After

our transformation, through physical death, we will emerge in the full likeness of ourSavior!TheBiblesaysallofcreationeagerlywaitsforthegreatrevealthatisyettocome.That

iswhythesufferingsof thispresent timearen’tworthyofsuchtimeandattentionasweoftengivethem.Father, I cannot wait for the transformation from the corruption of this mortal flesh and the grand

appearanceyouhavethatawaitsus!

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MAY15Romans8:31-34

HY DO WE GET SO UPSET OVER COMMENTS THAT MAY APPEAR TO DISPARAGE ORDISCOURAGEUS?

Why have Facebook, Twitter, and the other social media outlets often turned intonothingbutbackandforthattacks?Thebestapproachistorefusetobecomeinvolvedinsuchtwaddle.Whydoweletsuch

thingsbotherus?Perhaps it is becausewe often forgetwhat is going on in the throne-roomof heaven.

Thereisalotofcommentarygoingonaboutusthere,aswell,buttheBibletellsusthatJesusistheonedoingthespeaking.Heisintercedingforus!Butunliketheoftenlessthanstellarcommentarythatisgoingondownhere,theBible

saysthatJesusisconstantlyspeakingonourbehalf.HeistalkingaboutustotheFather,butthereportheisgivingiscompletelypositive.Heisforus;neveragainstus!Thankyou,Father,thatmyadvocatebeforeyouisJesus.Heistheonewhodiedforme,andnowlives

eternallyforme!

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MAY16Romans9:1-18

HOARETHE“CHILDRENOFPROMISE”PAUL ISWRITINGABOUT?THEYARETHEPEOPLEWHOTRUSTINJESUSCHRISTFORTHEIRSALVATION.

The basis for this salvation is founded on God’s electing grace through faith in himalone(Ephesians2:8-9).Inourtextfortoday,God’schoiceofJacoboverEsaupowerfullyillustrates thepoint that salvationhasnothing todowith anymerit found inman.Godemphasizes thispointbymakinghischoiceof JacoboverEsauprior to theirbirth,evenbeforetheyhaddoneanythinggoodorbad(9:11-13).Thisisthegoodnewsofthegospel!Salvationdepends“notonhumanwillorexertion,

butonGod,whohasmercy”(9:16).IfGod’schoicewerebaseduponmerit,whocouldbesaved? “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory ofGod” (Romans 3:23) and “thewagesofsinisdeath”(Romans6:23).ButpraisebetoGodwhochoosestosavesinnersinspiteoftheirsin(Romans5:8).Paul shares his heart and passion for the salvation of the lostwhowere “his kinsmen

accordingtotheflesh”(9:3).Maywehavethisheartandpassiontosharethegoodnewswith our lost kinsmenwho live, work, and raise their families in our own communitieshereinWestVirginia.LikePharaoh,Godhasalsoraisedusupforthisverypurpose,“that[his]namemightbeproclaimedinalltheearth”(9:17).

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MAY17Romans9:19-33

NOURPASSAGETODAY,PAULCOMPARESTHEJEWSOFHISDAY,WHOREJECTEDJESUSASTHEIRMESSIAH (9:32-33),WITHTHEGENTILESWHOCAMETORECEIVEHIMBY FAITHASTHEIR

SAVIOR.In this distinction, he reveals how both Jews andGentiles attain the righteousness of

God,andtherebybecomeHispeople.TheGentilesdidnotpursuethisrighteousness,buttheycametoattainitbyfaithinJesusChrist(9:30).Israelpursuedalawofrighteousness,but they did not arrive at that law.Why? “Because they did not pursue it by faith (inJesus),butasifitwerebasedonworks”(9:31-32).So Israel, known historically as God’s people, believed they could become righteous

before God by their own works. And Gentiles, known historically as not being God’speople,hadnodesire topursuerighteousness.This is thegoodnewsof thegospel: theLord redeems a people for himself out of both Jews and Gentiles. In both cases, therighteousness necessary to be reconciled with God comes only through faith in JesusChristwhoisourrighteousness(Romans3:21-25).Godpromised, throughhisprophetHosea, thathewould redeempeople fromamong

theGentilenations(9:24-26).Additionally,GodpromisedthateventhoughamajorityofJewswould reject Jesusas theirMessiah,hewould redeema remnant fromamong them(9:27-29).MaywepraisetheGodwhohascountedusrighteousinChristfromamongthenations

andmayweproclaimthegospelofGod’srighteousnessinChristtothenations.

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MAY18Romans10:1-13

HROUGHOUTPAUL’SLETTERSTOTHECHURCHES,WESEEHISCOMMITMENTTOPRAYER.And at the beginning of today’s passage, Paul expresses his heart’s desire and

prayer toGod forhis Jewishbrothers tobesaved.Theycontinue topursue,withzeal, arighteousnessthatisbasedontheLaw.ButGod’sindictmentagainsthispeopleIsraelwastheirfailuretokeephisLaw.MoseswroteintheScriptures“thatthepersonwhodoesthecommandments shall live by them” (10:5).However, sinners are not capable of keepingtheLawofGodinperfectobedience.Unfortunately,intheirzealtopursuearighteousnessaccordingtotheLaw,theywere“ignorantoftherighteousnessofGod”(10:3)revealedinHisWord.JesussaidtotheunbelievingJews,“YousearchtheScripturesbecauseyouthinkthatin

them you have eternal life; and it is they that bearwitness aboutme” (John 5:39). Thesalvation ofGod’s peoplewould not come through a righteousness based on their ownworks,butthrough“therighteousnessbasedonfaith”(10:6)inJesusChrist.Thisisgoodnews,notonlyfortheJews,butforpeoplefromeverytribe,language,and

nationthroughouttheworld(10:12).“EveryonewhocallsonthenameoftheLordwillbesaved” (10:13). Pray toGod for the lost, that theymay be saved. Proclaim to them thewordoffaith;that“ifyouconfesswithyourmouththatJesusisLordandbelieveinyourheartthatGodraisedhimfromthedead,youwillbesaved”(10:9).

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MAY19Romans10:14-21

AVINGMADETHECASETHATBOTH JEWSANDGENTILESARESAVEDBYGRACETHROUGHFAITHINJESUSCHRIST,PAULAFFIRMSTHEMISSIONOFTHECHURCH.

This saving faith “comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of Christ.” Fourimportantquestionsareasked:1)Howthenwilltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?2)Howaretheytobelieveinhimofwhomtheyhaveneverheard?3)Howaretheytohearwithoutsomeonepreaching?4)Howaretheytopreachunlesstheyaresent?Theanswer:Godissendingpreachers.“Howbeautifularethefeetofthosewhopreach

thegoodnews”(10:15).TheGreekwordthattranslatesinto“preach”meanstoproclaimthegoodnewsortoevangelize.Godhaschosentosendhisservantstoproclaimthegoodnewsof the gospel throughout thewholeworld as a testimony to thenations (Matthew24:14).Who are these servants? From the founding of the church,God sent his apostles and

prophets.ThegoodnewsofthegospelwasproclaimedinJerusalem,Judea,Samaria,andhas continued to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). In addition to thesemessengers, Godgavethechurchevangelistsandshepherdsandteachers“toequipthesaintsfortheworkofministry”(Ephesians4:12).Therefore, theresponsibility toproclaimthegoodnewsthroughouttheworldbelongs

to everymember of the church.Maywe asmembers of Christ’s body, pray and partnertogetherat the local, associational, state,andnational levels to reach theworldwith thegoodnewsofJesusChrist.

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MAY20Romans11:1-10

TTHECONCLUSIONOFROMANSCHAPTER10,PAULREVEALEDHOWMANYOFHISJEWISHBRETHREN HAD HEARD THE WORD OF GOD, BUT REFUSED TO BELIEVE IN JESUS FOR

SALVATION.So according to God’s promises through his prophets, the gospel was going to the

Gentiles.Paul thenbegins toaddress thequestion“hasGodrejectedhispeople[Israel]”(11:1)?TheanswertothisquestionrevealsagreatdealaboutGod’ssovereigntyinthesalvation

of his people. God has not rejected his people from among the Jews. First, Paul shareshowGodsavedhim.“ForImyselfamanIsraelite,adescendantofAbraham,amemberofthe tribeofBenjamin” (11:1).ManyofPaul’s fellow Jewspursueda righteousnessunderthe law. But Paul placed his faith in Christ, counting everything as loss because of thesurpassingworthofknowingChristJesushisLord(Philippians3:8).Second, Paul shares how God saved a remnant in the day of Elijah. Elijah thought

everyone in Israelhad rejectedGod to followBaal.ButGod responded, “Ihavekept formyself seven thousandmenwho have not bowed the knee to Baal” (11:4). Finally, PaulsharesGod’spromisethat,“theelectwouldobtainsalvation,buttherestwerehardened”(11:7).Even as God responded to Israel’s disobedience and rejection with his righteous

judgement,weseehisgraceandmercyinthesalvationofthischosenremnant.Thisisourstory.Wedeservehisjudgmentbecauseofoursin,butpraisebetoGod“thatChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinners!”(1Timothy1:15)!

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MAY21Romans11:11-24

ODWORKS INMYSTERIOUSWAYS. ASWE COME TO THE PASSAGE FOR TODAY,WE AREINTRODUCEDTOGOD’SGREATANDMYSTERIOUSPROVIDENCE.

Therejectionof JesusChristbythemajorityofhispeopleIsrael,becamethemeansbywhich people from every Gentile nation are brought into the kingdom of God. Thisredemptionof theGentileswould serveGod’s greater purpose inmaking Israel jealous,causingmanyof theminthe future to turntoChristandplace their faith inhim(11:11-12).This isGod’spurpose revealed inhisWord.“Theyhavemademe jealouswithwhat is

nogod;theyhaveprovokedmetoangerwiththeiridols.SoIwillmakethemjealouswiththose who are no people” (Deuteronomy 32:21). Although God’s judgements areunsearchable and his ways are inscrutable, we can be greatly encouraged by two clearpromisesinthispassage.First,GodiscurrentlysavinghispeoplefromamongtheGentilenations.Wecanrejoice

in theLord thathehasnotonlybroughtpeople fromNorthAmerica intohiskingdom,but by hismercy, he has brought and continues to bringmany from our state, here inWestVirginia.Second,althoughweseearemnantofGod’speopleIsraelcomingtofaithin Christ today, the Lord has decreed in his Word the future salvation of many fromamongtheJews.Maywecontendearnestlyfortheadvanceofthegospel,knowingthecertaintyofGod’s

purposetobringJewsandGentilesintohiskingdom!

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MAY22Romans11:25-36

MYSTERYISSOMETHINGTHATHASBEENHIDDENINTHEPASTANDISNOWREVEALEDINTHESCRIPTURE.

Paul begins this passage with the purpose of addressing a mystery. And what is thismysterybeingrevealednowinScripture?“ApartialhardeninghascomeuponIsrael,untilthe fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (11:25). Paul reveals the truth about God’shardeningof Israel and that this becomes themeansofGentiles beingbrought into thekingdom; ultimately leading to the future salvation of the Jews. Then he quotes fromIsaiah59:20-21,revealingthetruthswritteninGod’swordallalong.What can we learn from this mystery being revealed? First, we can trust fully in the

certaintyofGod’sWord.GodwillbringabouteverythingthathehaswritteninhisWord.He declares that “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from thebeginningandfromancienttimesthingsnotyetdonesaying,‘Mycounselshallstand,andIwillaccomplishallmypurpose’”(Isaiah49:9-10).Second,we can trust fully in thepromises ofGod. Paul affirms that “the gifts and the

callingofGodare irrevocable” (11:29).Thismeans thatGodwillneverchangehismindwithregardtohispromise.Finally, these deep truths result in PaulworshipingGod.Hewrites, “Oh, the depth of

therichesandwisdomandknowledgeofGod!Howunsearchablearehis judgmentsandhowinscrutablehisways”(11:33)!Mayweworshiphimtoday;“Tohimbegloryforever.Amen”(11:36)

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MAY23Romans12:1-8

RIORTOOURNEWLIFEINCHRIST,WELIVEDASTHOSECONFORMEDTOTHISWORLD.Paul paints a vivid picture of what that fallen life looks like in Romans 1-3. For

example,“althoughtheyknewGod,theydidnothonorhimasGodorgivethankstohim,buttheybecamefutileintheirthinking,andtheirfoolishheartsweredarkened”(Romans1:21).Iffutilityofourthinkingcharacterizesthelifeoftheunbeliever,thenbeingtransformed

bytherenewalofourmindsbyGod’sWordcharacterizesthebeliever.Thetransformationofourmindshappensdecisivelyatconversion,aswerespondtotheWordofGodbytheenablingofhisSpirit.WefindtheveryfirstbelieversinJerusalem“devotingthemselvestotheapostles’teaching”(Acts2:42).Godcontinues thespiritual renewalof theheartsandmindsofhispeople throughhis

transformingWord. This enables every believer to discern the will of God. Paul writes,“Yetamongthematurewedoimpartwisdom,althoughitisnotawisdomofthisageoroftherulersofthisage,whoaredoomedtopassaway.ButweimpartasecretandhiddenwisdomofGod,whichGoddecreedbeforetheagesforourglory”(1Corinthians2:6-7).AswecontinuetheworkofmakingdisciplesinWestVirginia, letusbedevotedtothe

faithful teaching of Scripture, the discipline of daily meditation on Scripture, and thededicationofourlivestoGod’swillandservice.

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MAY24Romans12:9-21

AULBEGINSTHISPASSAGEBYCALLINGBELIEVERSTOGENUINELOVE.“Let love be genuine” (12:9). The word genuine literally means to be without

hypocrisy.As believers love genuinely,we “abhorwhat is evil [and]hold fast towhat isgood”(12:9).ThenPaulprovidesinstructionsconcerningtwokindsofpeopleweshouldlove:otherbelieversandourenemies.By this love,weareexemplifyingandserving theLord(12:11).First,weareto“Loveoneanotherwithbrotherlyaffection”(12:10).Tothisendweneed

to “outdo one another in showing honor” (12:10), rejoice, be patient, and pray for oneanother(12:12).Additionally,weneedto“contributetotheneedsofthesaintsandseektoshowhospitality”(12:13).Second,weareto loveourenemies.“Bless thosewhopersecuteyou;blessanddonot

curse them” (12:4); “Repay no one evil for evil” (12:17); “never avenge yourselves, butleave it tothewrathofGod”(12:19);“ifyourenemyishungry, feedhim; ifhe is thirsty,givehimsomethingtodrink”(12:20).Jesuscallshisdisciplestoloveoneanotherashehaslovedthem(John13:34).Thelove

of Christ enables us to “live in harmony with one another” (12:16). But Paul knowsfirsthand that our Christ-like lovemay be rejected by the enemies of the cross or evenotherbelieversattimes.Therefore,heencourageseverybeliever,“Ifpossible,so faras itdependsonyou,livepeaceablywithall”(12:18).ExemplifytheloveofChrist.“Donotbeovercomebyevil,butovercomeevilwithgood”(12:21).

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MAY25Romans13:1-7

AVING CALLED UPON BELIEVERS TO EXEMPLIFY THE LOVE OF CHRIST, BY LOVING OURFELLOW BELIEVERS AND LOVING EVEN OUR ENEMIES, PAUL NOW ADDRESSES HOWWE

SHOULDRELATETOGOVERNINGAUTHORITIESINTHEWORLD.God calls every person to “be subject to the governing authorities” (13:1). First, Paul

callsustoobeygoverningauthorities,becausetheyhavebeeninstitutedbyhimandtheyexistsolelybecauseofhim(13:1).TheScripturestestifytohowtheLordraisesupleadersandbringsthemdown.Therefore,believersaretobesubjecttoauthority.Second, we are called to obey governing authorities because they are God’s servants

intendedtodousgood(13:4).Althoughhistoryisfilledwithcorruptkingsandkingdoms- even in Paul’s day - God has established such authorities to protect and preserve thecitizenry. To this end, believers are instructed to pay taxes “to whom taxes are owed,revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whomhonorisowed”(13:7).In the letter toTimothy,Paul instructs thechurch topray forallpeople, includingour

leaders:“Iurgethatsupplications,prayers, intercessions,andthanksgivingsbemade forall people, for kings and all who are in high positions”. The intended outcome of thisprayeristhatwemaylead“apeacefulandquietlife,godlyanddignifiedineveryway”(1Timothy2:1-2).Prayforthecivilauthoritiesofourcommunities,ourstate,andournation,andmaywe

honorGodinhonoringthem.

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MAY26Romans13:8-14

STHOSEWHOBELONGTOCHRIST,WELIVEINTHEDAWNOFANEWDAY.Ournewlife inChrist isevidencedbycastingoff theworksofdarkness(v.12b).

The works of darkness characterize how we once lived apart from Christ. Prior tosalvation,“youweredeadinthetrespassesandsinsinwhichyouoncewalked,followingthecourseofthisworld,followingtheprinceofthepoweroftheair,thespiritthatisnowatworkinthesonsofdisobedience”(Ephesians2:1-2).BelievershaveexperiencednewlifeinChristandthereforeweare“anewcreation.The

oldhaspassedaway;behold,thenewhascome”(2Corinthians5:17).Paulaffirmsthatbymeansof regeneration,wehavebeen“madealive togetherwithChrist” (Ephesians2:5).Asthosewhohavebeensanctified,hecallsbelieversto“putontheLordJesusChrist,andmakenoprovisionfortheflesh,togratifyitsdesires”(13:14).Paul encourages us to walk faithfully in holiness with this goal inmind: “salvation is

nearertousnowthanwhenwefirstbelieved”(13:11).Thisaspectofoursalvationspeaksto our glorification, the time when we will enter into the presence of the Lord. There,believerswilldwellwithhimforeverand“hewillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes,anddeath shallbenomore,neither shall therebemourning,nor crying,norpain anymore,fortheformerthingshavepassedaway”(Revelation21:4).So let us walk properly, as in the daytime, (13:13) and fulfill his commandments

throughlove(13:8-10).

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MAY27Romans14:1-23

NOURTEXTFORTODAY,THEBELIEVERSINROMECOULDNOTAGREEONWHICHDAYSWERETOBEOBSERVEDASHOLYDAYSORWHATFOODSWEREPROPERTOEAT.

Paulbegins:“Asfortheonewhoisweakinfaith,welcomehim,butnottoquarreloveropinions”(14:1).Inaddressingthismatter,PaulfirstdirectsourattentiontoChrist’slordship;“Fortothis

endChristdiedandlivedagain,thathemightbeLordbothofthedeadandoftheliving”(14:9).PaulorientsourthinkingtothetruththatweareallultimatelysubjecttojudgmentoftheLord.“AsI live,saystheLord,everykneeshallbowtome,andeverytongueshallconfess to God” (14:1). Therefore, “each of us will give an account of himself to God”(14:12).Second,wemustactbybothconvictionandfaithfulnesstotheLordshipofChrist.Paul

clarifies,“Theonewhoobserves theday,observes it inhonorof theLord.Theonewhoeats,eatsinhonoroftheLord,sincehegivesthankstoGod,whiletheonewhoabstains,abstainsinhonoroftheLordandgivesthankstoGod”(14:6).Finally,wemustbe intentional topursueGod’sglory ineveryaspectofour lives.“So,

whetheryoueatordrink,orwhateveryoudo,doalltothegloryofGod”(1Corinthians10:31).Tothisend,maywebemindfulnottocauseourbrothertostumble inthefaith,but“letuspursuewhatmakesforpeaceandformutualupbuilding”(14:19).

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MAY28Romans15:1-13

OME BELIEVERS IN THECHURCH INROMEWERE FACINGDISAGREEMENTS THATWERE THERESULTOFANIMMATUREFAITH.

Therefore,thosewhoaremoremature intheir faithareencouragedtocomealongsidethosewhoareweaker in their faith.“Wewhoarestronghaveanobligationtobearwiththefailingsoftheweak,andnottopleaseourselves”(15:1).Inthesecases,thosewhoaremore mature in their faith intentionally strive to “please his neighbor for his good, tobuildhimup”(15:2).BuildingothersupinthefaithisthegoalofChristiandiscipleship.First,PauldirectsourattentiontoChrist:“ForChristdidnotpleasehimself,butasitis

written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me’” (15:3). He quotesPsalm69:9topresentChristasthebenchmarkofourdiscipleship.Second,Paul stateshowessential theScriptures are todiscipleship: “Forwhateverwas

written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance andthroughtheencouragementoftheScriptureswemighthavehope”(15:4).Third, Paul illustrates the importance of prayer by offering a prayer: “May theGod of

endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, inaccordwithChristJesus,thattogetheryoumaywithonevoiceglorifytheGodandfatherofourLordJesusChrist”(15:5-6).ThegoalofhelpingothersbecomelikeJesus,bythemeansoftheScripturesandprayer,

is to glorifyGod. “Thereforewelcome one another asChrist haswelcomed you, for thegloryofGod”(15:7).

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MAY29Romans15:14-33

NOURPASSAGEFORTODAY,PAULPROVIDESASUMMARYOFWHATCHRISTHASACCOMPLISHEDTHROUGHHIMTOREACHTHEGENTILES(15:18),SOTHAT“FROMJERUSALEMANDALLTHE

WAY AROUND TO ILLYRICUM I HAVE FULFILLED THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST”(15:19).In writing these things, Paul desires to strengthen their mutual commitment and

partnershipforthegospel.First,Paul lived toshare thegospel: “Imake itmyambition topreach thegospel,not

where Christ has already been named” (15:20). His ambition is driven by his love forChristandthefulfillmentofGod’sWordthroughIsaiah:“Thosewhohaveneverbeentoldofhimwillsee,andthosewhohaveneverheardwillunderstand”(15:21).Second, Paul longed for fellowship with other believers. Having fulfilled his ministry,

Paulshareshowhehas“longedformanyyearstocometo[them]”(15:23).Itishishopeand desire “that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in yourcompany”(15:32).Finally, Paul knew the importance of prayer. He faced great opposition from the

unbelieversashereturnedtoJerusalem,andhewashopingtobedeliveredfromthemandsent to Spain. So he appeals to the Roman church to “strive together withme in yourprayerstoGodonmybehalf”(15:30).MaywestrivetogetherinourfaithtosharethegospelofChrist,encourageoneanother

infellowship,andprayforoneanotheraswefulfillourministry.

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MAY30Romans16:1-23

AUL MAKES NO DIRECT MENTION OF SATAN IN ROMANS (OTHER THAN AN INDIRECTREFERRALTOANGELSANDRULERSIN8:38)UNTILHEREINCHAPTER16.

WhathewritesservestoedifythebodyofChrist,whichfacesgreattrialandtribulationfromtheevilone:“TheGodofpeacewillsooncrushSatanunderyourfeet”(16:20).JesusChrist continues to build his church “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”(Matthew16:18).WeseetheevidenceofChrist’sadvancingchurchhereinourtext.First,evidenceisfoundinthemanynamesofbelieversandchurchfellowshipswhichare

documentedhere.EveryonefromPhoebe,toPriscillaandAquila,downtoTimothy,Gaius,Erastus,andQuartus,witheachlocalchurchfellowshiprevealingagrowingchurch.Second,thereisevidenceofongoingdiscipleshipanddoctrinalfidelityinthechurchat

Rome.Paulwrites, “Foryourobedience isknown toall, so that I rejoiceoveryou,but Iwantyoutobewiseastowhatisgoodandinnocentastowhatisevil”(16:19).Finally, there isevidenceofgreatspiritualwarfare.Satanassaults thechurchwith false

teachers and divisions. The Church prevails through sound doctrine, and Satan will becrushed. Through his great hymn, Martin Luther reminds believers, “The Prince ofDarknessgrim,wetremblenotforhim;hisragewecanendure,forlo,hisdoomissure.”May“ThegraceofourLordJesusChristbewithyou”(16:20).

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MAY31Romans16:25-27

AVINGCONCLUDEDTHISDOCTRINALLYRICHANDVERYPRACTICALTEACHING INROMANSCONCERNINGTHEGOSPEL,PAULBREAKSFORTHINGLORIOUSPRAISETOGOD!

Paul praises the one who is able “to strengthen you according tomy gospel and thepreachingofJesusChrist”(16:25).Paul praises the onewhobrought forth the gospel “according to the revelation of the

mysterythatwaskeptsecretforlongagesbuthasnowbeendisclosed”(16:25-26).Paulpraises theonewhothroughthepropheticwritings“hasbeenmadeknowntoall

nations”(16:26).Paulpraisestheonewho’sgreatandsovereignpurpose,“accordingtothecommandof

theeternalGod,[was]tobringabouttheobedienceoffaith”(16:26).God is infinitelywise,andhe is theonlyGod:“For there isoneGod,andthere isone

mediatorbetweenGodandmen,themanChristJesus,whogavehimselfasaransomforall”(1Timothy2:5-6).InhisvisionbeforeGod’sthrone,JohnsawtheLambstanding,“asthoughithadbeenslain”(Revelation5:6)andhedeclared“Worthyareyou…foryouwereslain,andbyyourbloodyouransomedpeopleforGodfromeverytribeandlanguageandpeopleandnation”(Revelation5:9).Godhaspredetermined,beforethefoundationoftheworld,tonotonlybringhispeople

to saving faith in Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the gospel, but also tocontinually strengthen his people in their faith through the ongoing teaching andapplicationofthegospelintheirlives.Maywepraisehim.“TotheonlywiseGodbegloryforevermorethroughJesusChrist!Amen”(16:27)

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JUNE11Corinthians1:1-9

F ANY NEW TESTAMENT LETTER COULD BRING US HOPE ABOUT THE CONDITION OF OURCHURCH,ITIS1CORINTHIANS.

Thiswas a rough group of individuals brought together byGod.We see, early in thefirst chapter, that itwasGodwho brought this collective bunch together. Paulwrites inverse2,“TothosesanctifiedinChristJesus,calledtobesaints.”Notice how this church is identified. They are identified as “saints.” Even though this

churchhadmanyareasthatneededwork,Godstillreferredtothemassaints.IfyouareinChrist then this is how God looks at you, too. Being a saint is not a special class ofChristianthatGodiswaitingtopromoteyouto.IfChristhassanctifiedyouthenhelooksat you in the same light as he does St. Peter, St. Thomas, or any other saint in churchhistory.Notice, also, the recipients in verse 2, “To those sanctified inChrist Jesus.” Theword

“sanctified” is written in past tense, meaning it has already been accomplished. Thisshouldbeincrediblenewsforus!Thoughnoneofusareperfect,wetrustthatifChristisinusthenhewill finishthegoodworkthathefirststarted(Philippians1:6).Weseethesametruthin1Corinthians1:8.Verse8informsusofGod’spowertokeepus.It isGodwhowill,“sustainyoutotheend,guiltlessinthedayofourLordJesusChrist.”Andallofthisispossiblebecauseofthetruthfoundinversenine,“Godisfaithful.”Godcannotlie.Hecannotbreakapromise.Pleasespendsometimemeditatingonthe

truth that God is not finished with you yet. Just like the church at Corinth, he is notfinishedwithyouyet.Thankhimtodayforhispromisesaresure.

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ADLY,THECHURCHATCORINTHISNOTTHEFIRSTCHURCHYOUHAVEPROBABLYSEENFACINGDIVISION.

Divisions in the church are far too common. Somedivisions can be so divisive that itultimately leads to splitting the church into two distinct congregations. There are suchfactionsinthischurch,thatPaulidentifiesonegroupas,“Chloe’speople.”Whentheunityof thechurch isbecomingshaky,doyougather“yourpeople”so thatyoursidewillwinthevote?Paul says that within this divided body there has been quarreling. James gives great

insighttowhywequarrel.James4:1-2says,“Whatcausesquarrelsandwhatcausesfightsamongyou?”Thisisagreatquestion!WhatdoyouthinkistheanswerfromJames?Oftentimeswethinkifpeopleinthechurchwouldjustlistentousanddowhatwethinkthenthechurchwouldbeabetterplace.LookattheanswerJamesgivesus,“Isitnotthis,thatyour passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so youmurder. Youcovetandcannotobtain,soyou fightandquarrel.Youdonothave,becauseyoudonotask.”Is it possible that divisions are happening in your church because of you? Maybe

divisionsarenothappeningbecauseofyou,butwhatareyoudoingtobringaboutunity?Is there a relationship in your church or life that has been divided or damaged? Todaywould be a great day to start pursuing unity. Please take some time and pray for thechurchesinourconventionandinourcommunitiestobeunitedinChrist.

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AN YOU REMEMBER BACK TO YOUR YEARS OF GYM CLASS? DO YOU REMEMBER WHENEVERYONEWOULDLINEUPAGAINSTTHEWALLANDTWOCAPTAINSWOULDBESELECTED

FROMYOURCLASS?The two captains played the role of sovereign lord over the value and worth of each

classmate.Beingapartoftheteamwassolelybasedonhowathleticorpopularyouwere.Ifyouweren’teitherofthosethenyouprobablyhatedtheselectionprocess.Mostcaptainswould try to build the ultimate team in order to help their chances of being victorious.Ultimatelytherewasalwaysonepersonwhowasneverchosenbythecaptain’sdesire,butforcedontheteamsimplybecausetheywerethelastpersonavailable.In1Corinthians1:18-31,weseethisincrediblepictureofGod’smight.Heallowsusto

seeaglimpseofhisplan.Itwasthesameblueprinthehadbeenusingthroughouthistoryinordertobevictorious.Hisplan,however,wastheantithesisofmanyofourgymclassexperiences. Paulwrites in verses 27-29, “ButGod chosewhat is foolish in theworld toshame thewise; God chosewhat isweak in theworld to shame the strong; God chosewhatislowanddespisedintheworld,eventhingsthatarenot,tobringtonothingthingsthatare,sothatnohumanbeingmightboastinthepresenceofGod.”Goddoesnotneedusontheteaminordertobevictorious.Hehaschosenustobea

partoftheteamsothatwhenweseevictories,wewillnotboastatwhatwehavedone,butratherpointtowhathehasdone.Spendthedaymakingmuchofhim!

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OMETIMESWECANTENDTOTHINKTHEKINGDOMOFGODISRESTINGONOURSHOULDERS;THATIFWEDON’THAVETHERIGHTWORDSTOSAYTHENITISGOINGTOBEOURFAULTTHAT

OTHERSDON’TCOMETOKNOWCHRISTASLORDANDSAVIOR.Butverses1-5areveryfreeingfromthistypeofthinking.TheapostlePauladmitsthat

he did not come to this churchwith lofty speech orwisdom.Hewas not resting in hispowertopersuadethepeopleatCorinth.Paulsaid,“Myspeechandmymessagewerenotin plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (2:4).Thenhegivesthereasontowhythisisfreeingtous,asweshareourfaithwithothers.Hesays, “That your faithmight not rest in the wisdom ofmen, but in the power of God”(2:5).Howfreeingisthisgospeltruth!He goes on to say that the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of

God.Thisisalsofreeing.Wecannottakeitpersonallywhenourneighbors,coworkers,orfamilymembersmockusforourfaith.Itisfollytothem.Theyarenotrejectingyou,butthey are not able to understand. Instead, we must continue to love them, faithfullyproclaim God’s message, and pray the Lord will open their hearts to the truth of thegospel.LetuswalkaroundtodaywithconfidencethatGodisopeninguptheeyesofthenatural

man.Wehaveno ideawhosehearts he is changing.Wemust boldly proclaim the truthwithoutfearofman!Whocanyoushareyourfaithwithtoday?

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TSOMEPOINT INYOURLIFEYOUHAVEPROBABLYHEARDTHEPHRASE,“WHYDON’TYOUJUSTGROWUP?”THATISWHATPAULISDEALINGWITHATCORINTH-ACHURCHFULLOF

NEWCONVERTSTHATNEEDTO“JUSTGROWUP.”In thispassage,wesee theapostlePaul rebuking this church for their lackof spiritual

growth.Hetellsthemthattheyarenotspirituallyready,butstilloftheflesh.Theyarestillcontentwithspiritualmilk,whentheyshouldbelongingforsolidfood.Thereisjealousyandstrifeamongthem–signsoftheflesh!Paulbringstolightthattheyhavebeenmakingdistinctions among church leaders, and the divisions that are beingmade are revealingtheirimmaturity.Theyareelevatingonechurchleaderoveranother.Pauldoesnotseethegrowththathewashopingtoseefromthischurch.Paulinformsthemitisrathersillyandimmature toboastaboutanychurch leader.Godhadassignedgifts toPaulandApollos.These gifts were different, but they weren’t in opposition to one another, but rathercomplementary. Every church leader is merely an instrument in the hands of God.Ultimately, it is not the church leader who grows a church, but it is God who givesgrowth.James 3 reminds us that jealousy and selfish ambition are earthly, unspiritual, and

demonic.Wherethereisjealousyandselfishambition,therewillbedisorder.Thinkaboutyour life. Is there any hidden jealousy in your heart? Any selfish ambition? Are youcausing divisions in your church instead of promoting unitywithin the body of Christ?Areyousettling forspiritualmilk insteadof receivingthe incredibleblessingofspiritualsolidfood?AsktheLordtogiveyoucravingsforscripture,prayer,andevangelism.

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HOOSINGWHERETOLIVECANBEASTRESSFULDECISION.WhenGodcreatedmankind,hecreatedmankindinsuchawaythathecouldbein

fellowshipwithman.IntheOldTestament,thetemplewasofsignificantvalue.InExodus25,GodinstructedtheIsraelitestoconstructaplacewherehecould“dwellintheirmidst”(Exodus25:8).Noteveryonewasallowedinsidethetemple.Evenonceinsidethetemple,thereweredifferentlevelsofimportance.TheholyofholiesiswherethepresenceofGoddwelt.WhenSolomon’s templewasdestroyed, froma Jew’s perspective,Godno longerdweltamongthem.John1:14says,“AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus.”Withthecomingof

Jesus,Godonceagaindemonstratedhisdesire todwellwithman,but inActs1,we seeJesusascendingbackintoheaven.Thediscipleswereconfused,despitethefactJesushadalreadysaiditwasbetterthathego,sotheHelpercouldcome.In verses 16-17, Paul makes an incredible claim.We have the privilege of seeing the

fullnessofGod’splan.OutofalltheoptionsGodhad,Godchosetodwellinyou.Didthattruthjustgooveryourhead?Godchosetodwellinyou,followerofChrist!Hedoesnotliveinourchurchbuildings.WecannotleavehimbehindonSundayafternoonswhileweliveourlivestherestoftheweekinsin.Wearethetemple!Whereverwego,wetakeGodwith us. Oh, may that incredible truth sink into our hearts. May we have boldness,knowingtheHelperisalwayswithus.

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HAT IF YOU WERE ENTRUSTED WITH THE CURE FOR CANCER? YOU HAD THE ONLYSOLUTION TO THISWORLDWIDE PANDEMIC.HOWWOULD YOU TREAT THAT FORMULA?

WOULDYOUBECARELESSORWOULDYOUGOTOEXTREMEMEASURESTOBESURE ITGOT INTOTHECORRECTHANDS?Wehavealreadyseen, in the first fewchaptersof1Corinthians, thatGodhas revealed

himself tous, andhedwells inus.Now inverse1of chapter4,Paul says thatyouhavebeenentrustedwiththemysteriesofGod.Asstewards,wemustbefoundtrustworthy.Theworld is sick and dying. Sin has infected all mankind. No one has escaped its power.Eternaldeathiswhatsicknessofsinproduces,butyouhavethecure;thegospelofJesusChrist.Inverse16,Paulurgesthatwebeimitatorsofhim.Hemakesaboldstatement,buthe

lives up to the claim. Paul gave up everything worldly after he realized he had beenentrusted with the mysteries. He gave up his position in society, his wealth, earthlysecurity, and safety. He risked it all to proclaim the gospel wherever he went. He knewwhatitwastoliveindarkness,thereforeonceheexperiencedthecureforsin’scurse,hespenttherestofhislifetellingothershowtheytoocouldbesaved.How do you treat themysteries of God for which you have been entrusted? Are you

ashamed of them? Do you keep them to yourself, as the people who God has placedaroundyoucoastthroughlifewithouthope,headedforaneternityseparatedfromGod?OrdoyouimitatePaul?AreyouwillingtoriskitallsothatothersmightknowthehopeofChrist?

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HAPTER5ISONEOFTHEMOSTDISTURBINGCHAPTERSINTHEENTIRENEWTESTAMENT.Inthischapter,weseeamanhavingsometypeofinappropriaterelationshipwith

his father’s wife, and the church is paying no mind to any of this. Paul illustrates theproblembyusingametaphoraboutyeast.Heexplainsthat ifsomeonedoesnotquicklyaddressthissituationthentheentirecongregationwillbeaffected.This chapter addresses a controversial topic within our culture today: judging others.

We are remindedof this truth in James 4:12, “There is only one lawgiver and judge, hewho is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” JamesremindshisreadersthatonlyGodcanjudgeothers.SohowcanJamescondemnjudgingyetPaulcondoneit?In1Corinthians5,Paulmakesanimportantdistinctiononthetopicofjudging.Paulwritesinverse12-13,“ForwhathaveItodowithjudgingoutsiders?Isitnotthoseinsidethechurchwhomyouaretojudge?Godjudgesthoseoutside.”It is clear from thispassage thatChristians shouldnot judgeoutsiders, thosewhoare

notyetChristians.Why?BecauseGodwillultimatelyjudgethem.ButthereisanabsoluteclearcommandforChristianstojudgeotherChristianswithinthechurch.Paulistryingtohelpthischurchtounderstandthatonesin,thatisnotrepentedof,candamagetheentirecongregation.Takeamomenttoholdthemirroruptoyourownlife.Doyouseeanysininyour life thatneeds tobe confessed?Doyouunderstand the seriousnessof your sin?Takesometime to read Joshua7asa reminderofhowyourpersonalsincan impact thelivesofothers.

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AULASKSTHECHURCHIFTHEYAREAWARETHATTHEUNRIGHTEOUSWILLNOTINHERITTHEKINGDOMOFGOD(1CORINTHIANS6:9).

Thenheproceeds to give a very convicting list ofunrighteousdeedswhichwe can allidentifywithtosomeextent.This isverytroublingnewsformankind.Quotingapsalm,Paul informs the church at Rome, “None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).Therefore, ifnone is righteous, andonly the righteouswill inherit thekingdomofGod,wheredowefindhope?Then,inverse11,Paulgivesthegoodnews:Youwerewashed!Youweresanctified!You

werejustifiedinthenameoftheLordJesusChristandbytheSpiritofourGod!Thisisthetestimonyof every followerofChrist.Every singleoneofus.Wewereunrighteous, andthereforewecouldnot inherit thekingdomofGod.Therewasnohope,whatsoever.Butthen God came to us, in all of our unrighteousness, and he washed us. He took ourpunishment and came to dwell in us! May we never get over this truth. May we neverboastinanythingotherthantheamazinggraceofJesusChrist!Mayweneverlookdownonapersoncaught insin,knowingthatwetoooncewalked insin!Wetoowerecaughtupintheworld’spassionandfleshlydesires,evenifwecametoknowChristatayoungage.MayweinsteadprayearnestlyandproclaimthegospelfaithfullyandknowthatGodstill saves! There is hope for everyone. You have a powerful testimony about God’stransformingworkinyourlife!Whocanyousharethishopewithtoday?

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HEDIVERSITYAMONGGOD’SCREATION ISFASCINATING. IT’SAMAZINGHOWHETHOUGHTTHROUGHSOMANYFACETSOFCREATION.

Manycreaturesarecreatedwithadefensivemechanism.Forsomecreaturesthatdefensemechanismcouldbeclawsorteeth,butforthebluetailedskinkGodgaveauniquewaytoescapeitspredators.Asthenamestates,theselizardshavebrightbluetails.Whenbeingattacked, the predator usually goes for the bright blue tail. This plays into the skink’sstrengths.Godcreatedtheskinkwithsomethingcalledautotomyorself-amputation.Theskinkhastheabilityto just leave itstailbehind,andwhilethepredatorhasaholdof itstail,thelizardnowhasachancetofleefromthepredator.In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul commands the church to flee from sexual immorality

(verse18).This isacommoncommandinPaul’s letters.Heoftenspeaksof fleeingfromworldly pleasures and pursuing the things of God. The word “fleeing” indicates theurgencyofthesituation.Askinkflees,becauseitrealizesitslifeisindanger.Wemustflee,because sin threatens our spiritual life. A believer’s body is the temple of Christ. Werepresenthim.WemustglorifyGodinourbody.Do you have a plan for fleeing from sin or do you see how close you can get to sin

beforeitsoeasilyentanglesyou?Allsinisserious.Wemusthateoursinandrepentofit.TheBibledescribesSatanasalionreadytodevour.Satanwouldlovenothingmorethanto distract youwithworldly passions. Think about the sin in your life. Confess, repent,andcomeupwithaplantofleefromittoday!

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AULISDEMANDINGTHECHURCHATCORINTHTOFIGHTFORUNITY.Itisimportanttorememberthatchurchunityfirstbeginsinthehome.Butjustlike

in a lot of the churches in America today, divorce was an issue in Corinth. God hasrevealed himself tomankind as Father, Son, andHoly Spirit, oneGod in three persons.The doctrine of the trinity is the ultimate example of unity.Within the trinity, there isperfectharmony.Therearenodivisions,nodissension,norivalry,andnojealousyamongtheFather,theSon,ortheHolySpirit.In Genesis 2:24, God establishes the first marriage. When he brings Adam and Eve

together, he commands the man, “To hold fast to his wife, and they shall become oneflesh.”ThecommandtoholdfastshowsGod’sdesireforthehusbandandwifetoremaintogether.BothJesusandPaulreiteratethisprincipleintheNewTestament.Goddesignedmarriage to be a reflection of the trinity. One God in three persons. The Godhead isdistinctinroles,butequalinvalue.Thesameistrueaboutmarriage.Withinamarriage,thetwoshallbecomeone.Withinthemarriage,thehusbandandwifehavedifferentroles,yet they are equal in value.When couples divorce, they do not reflect the unity of thetrinity. They break the bond that God said should never be broken. There are severalreasons why couples divorce. One reason is because the husband or the wife allowedsomeoneelsetosharewithinthatunity.Typically,affairsdonothappenovernight.Ifyouaremarried,takeamomentandaskGodtoshowyouifyouareallowingtheunity

ofyourmarriagetobebroken.Ifyouaresingle,thinkofhowyoucouldencourageoneofthemarriagesinyourchurch.

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HIS ISAN IMPORTANTPASSAGETHATSHOWSSOMETHINGSIGNIFICANTHASHAPPENEDFROMTHEOLDTESTAMENTTOTHENEWTESTAMENT.

WhenGodmadehiscovenantwithAbraham,onedistinctivefoundinthiscovenantwasthat every male child of Abraham’s family would be circumcised (Genesis 17:10).CircumcisionwouldbeasignbetweenGodandAbraham’sfamily.InGenesis17:14,Godgivesastrictwarning,“Anyuncircumcisedmalewhoisnotcircumcisedinthefleshofhisforeskinshallbecutofffromhispeople.”IfaJewdidnotcircumcisetheirchild,thenthatchildwould be cut off from the promises ofGod.No Jewish parent in their rightmindwouldeverleavetheirchilduncircumcised.Now, fast forward over 2,000 years and Paul basically says circumcision is not that

important.Paulwrites,“Forneithercircumcisioncountsforanythingnoruncircumcision,but keeping the commandments of God” (7:19). The Jews had basically boiled theirrighteousnessdowntotheirownworks.Paulistryingtohelpthischurchunderstandthattheir shouldbenodivisionsoverwhoandwho isnot circumcised. Salvationhas alwaysbeenaboutaconditionoftheheart.ThisshouldbenothingnewtoaJew.Deuteronomy30:6 says, “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of youroffspring, so that youwill love theLord yourGodwith all yourheart andwith all yoursoul,thatyoumaylive.”This isstillastruggle for thechurchtoday.Peoplewithin thechurcharestill trying to

earn their righteousness through theirworkswithout ever being renewed in their heart.Doyoubelieveinsalvationbyfaithbutliveasifyourworkssustainyourfaith?PraythatGodwouldhelpyoutorestinhisgrace.

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AULKNEWTHATHAVINGAGOODMARRIAGETAKESALOTWORK.“The grass is always greener on theother side” is a commonphraseused in our

culture. The problem with the phrase is, it just isn’t biblical. Simply changing yoursituationdoesnotfixtherealproblem.Sometimespeoplepursuemarriage,becausetheythink beingmarried will make them happy. God does desire for married couples to behappywithintheirmarriage,buttheprimarypurposeformarriageisnottomakepeoplehappy.Thereisanobviousandimportanttruthfoundinthemiddleofthispassage.Paulwrites

in verse 28 that married couples will have worldly troubles. Notice, he does not say,“could” or “might” have worldly troubles, but “will” have worldly troubles. Paulencouragesthosewhoarecurrentlysingletoremainsingle,sothattheywillbesparedtheworldlydifficultiesofmarriage. It is common for couplespursuingmarriage to focusonthe“forbetter”partofthemarriagevowsandignorethe“orforworse”lineinthevows.Paul is trying to encourage the unmarried individuals in the church to see what an

incredible opportunity they have. Earlier in this chapter, Paul reminds those who aremarriedthattheybelongtotheirpartner.Theydon’thavethefreedomtojustgoaroundtheworldonmissiontrips,butasinglemanorwomandoeshavethatfreedomtosimplygo.Ifyouaresingle,areyoucontent?IshavingChristenoughforyou?Howareyoutaking

advantage of being single? How could you uniquely serve your congregation and thekingdomofGod?

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OWMANYBIBLEVERSESDOYOUKNOW?HOWMANYBOOKSHAVEYOUREADTHISYEAR?HOWMANYLETTERSDOYOUHAVEAFTERYOURNAME?

WhatdidPaulclaimtoknowinChapter2?“ForIhavedecidedtoknownothingamongyouexceptJesusChristandhimcrucified”(2:2).Paulwasahighlyeducatedman.Hewasatrainedscholar.Hehadalotof“knowledge”,buthe“decided”toknownothingexceptJesus. He knew boasting in his knowledge was counter productive. He knew hisknowledgeoftheMosaicLawwasnotgoingsaveanyone,butonlyGodcouldchangetheheartsofman.Thereforehepreached“Christandhimcrucified.”This world is full of people who claim to be wise, but the knowledge of man is

foolishness toGod.Rather,Godhas calledhis people to love as he loves. So ifwe loveGod,wewillalsolovethepeoplehecreatedinhisimage.Whenislasttimeyouengagedinanargument,becauseyouinsistedyouwere“right”?

Whatemotionswereyoufeeling?Angerorlove?Wereyouactingoutofaheartofprideoraheartoflove?Yes,wemuststandfirmonsolidbiblicaldoctrine.Thereisanabsolutetruth,andwemustlovetoabideinandspreadthattruth.AswepresentthetruthofGod,wemustdosoinlove.How could you love someone today? In what specific ways can you humble yourself

todayandboastonlyinChrist?

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SIMPLEDEFINITIONOFHUMILITYISFREEDOMFROMPRIDE–PUTTINGSOMEONEELSE’SINTERESTSBEFOREYOUROWN.

This isapassagethatshoutsthe importanceofhumility.Thefirst fewverseschallengeus that love is more important than knowledge. We must have a solid grasp on thatconceptbeforewecanevenunderstandtherestofthechapter.Knowledge tells us thatwe can eatmeat offered to idols, because those gods are not

real.Ahumblelovetellsusthatifitcausesaweakerbrothertostumble,itisnotworthit.Yes,wehavefreedominChrist,butwemustnotabuseourrights.Versenineremindsus,“Buttakecarethatthisrightofyoursdoesnotsomehowbecomeastumblingblocktotheweak.”Verses11and12explainwhyloveismoreimportantthanknowledge,“Andsobyyourknowledgethisweakpersonisdestroyed,thebrotherforwhomChristdied.Thus,insinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sinagainstChrist.” Paul uses powerful language.Whatwas once a freedom, becomes a sinwhen it causes a weaker brother to stumble. In our pride, we destroy our brothers inChrist,forwhomhedied!Paul’sapplicationisbeautifulinverse13,“Therefore,iffoodmakesmybrotherstumble,

Iwillnevereatmeat,lestImakemybrotherstumble.”Paulunderstandstheimportanceofhumility.It’snotaboutbeingright.It’saboutlovingpeopleenoughtogiveupourrights,so that they can experience the love of Christ. Christ was the ultimate example of this,whenhegaveupeverything tocomeanddiea sinner’sdeath forour sake.HowcanwehumbleourselvesandlovelikeChristtoday?

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OMEPREACHERSTODAYAREKNOWNFORTHEIREXTRAVAGANCE.THEYLIVE INLUXURIOUSHOMES,DRIVEEXPENSIVECARS,ANDEVENFLYINPRIVATEJETS.

This is often used as a justification for not supporting local churches and Christianministries.However, farmorepreachers liveextremely frugal livesandbarelymanage tosurvivefinancially.Istherebiblicaljustificationforthefinancialsupportofpastors,missionaries,andother

Christianworkers?Theanswerisyes.Thoughitissecondarytothepointofhismessage,Paulclearlyaffirmedhisrighttobefinanciallysupportedbythosetowhomheministered.In theprevious chapterPaul established theprinciple thatourChristian liberty should

belimitedbyourconcernforthewelfareoffellowChristians.Inthischapter,hecontinuesthe discussion by illustrating howhe followed this principle in his own life. Thoughhehadtherighttobefinanciallysupportedhewouldnottakeadvantageofit.Thequestionis,why?Paulgivestworeasons.First,hedidnotwanttolosehisreward

forpreaching thegospelwithoutcharge.Hewascompelled topreach thegospel. Itwasnotanoption.Whatwasanoptionwaswhethertoacceptsupportfordoingso.Ifhediditwithoutchargetherewassatisfactionand joyasa reward.Second,hewantednothingtohinderhisreachingthelostwiththegospel.Thosewhoarecalledtopreachthegospelarecompelledtodoso.Thatiswhymanyare

willing to continue inministry evenwhen it is difficult financially. They have a right tosupportwhethertheychoosetoacceptitornot.

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EDONOTWANTTOOFFENDUNBELIEVERSBUT INOURZEALTORELATETOTHEMWEMUSTBECAREFULNOTTOOFFENDGOD.

IreadofanarmysergeantwhothrewhismuddybootsataChristianprivateashekneltbyhisbunkinprayer.Theyhithiminthehead,buthewentonpraying.Inthemorning,thesergeant foundhisbootsbesidehisbunkbeautifullypolished.Thatactofserviceonthepartofthatprivateeventuallyresultedinthesergeant’ssalvation.Thatistheattitudethatweallmustadopt:“Iamaslavetoall,sothatImaywinmore.”WhatisclearinthispassageisthatPaulhasanall-consumingpassiontowinpeopleto

Jesus Christ. Five times in four verses he said his aim was to win people. It was soimportanttohimthathewaswillingtogiveupanypersonalfreedomorrighttodoso.Paulisnottalkingaboutadaptingthemessageofthegospeltoavoidoffendingpeople.

He is talking about howwe relate to thosewe hope to evangelize. Themessage of thecross is often offensive, butwe should not be personally offensive in neutralmatters ofcustomorculture.WinningotherstoChristrequirespresentingthegospeltolostpeoplewithoutneedlesslyoffendingthem.Our goal should be to remove cultural barriers that distract or offend those we are

tryingtoreach.Wedon’twantouroutwardappearanceorpoliticalviewstobetheissue.Wewantthegospeltobetheissue.Thisisnotalwayseasytodo.Itrequiresbalance.Weneedtobedistinctinourlifestyle

sothatwedon’tcompromisethegospel.

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VERYONEFACESTEMPTATION.THEDEVIL,THEWORLD,ANDOURFLESHLYNATURESWORKTOGETHERTOTEMPTUSTOBREAKGOD’SLAWS.

ThegoodnewsisthatGodprovides“thewayofescape”eachtimetemptationsarise.Wecanexperiencevictory.How?Realizethattemptationisuniversal.“Notemptationhasovertakenyoubutsuchas is

commontoman.”Allpeopleexperiencetemptation.Satanwantsustothinkthatwearethe only ones struggling with a specific sin. The truth is, there is nothing you arestrugglingwiththatothershavenotalsostruggledwithandevenovercome.RememberthatGodisfaithful.“Godisfaithful,whowillnotallowyoutobetempted

beyond what you are able.” God reliably prevents us from being overwhelmed bytemptation.Astemptationsincreaseinbothfrequencyandintensityhisgraceandstrengthincreaseaswell.Heneverleavesusorforsakesus.Recognizethatescapeisavailable.“Withthetemptationwillprovidethewayofescape

also,sothatyouwillbeabletoendureit.”WhenwearetemptedGodprovidesthewayofescape. For Joseph, itwas fleeing (Genesis 39:12). For Jesus, itwas fasting and prayingand quoting Scripture (Luke 4:1-13). For the disciples, it was to “watch and pray"(Matthew26:41).Wheneverwefacetemptation,wemustseekhiswayofescape.Areyoubeingenticedtosin?Jesuswillnotallowyoutobetemptedbeyondyourability

toovercome.Witheachtemptation,hefaithfullygivesthewaytovictory.Findthewayandfollowittoday.Walkobedientlyinhiswayofescapeandyouwilltriumph.

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HENTHE IDENTITYOFAFOOD IS INQUESTIONEVERYONECAUTIOUSLY INQUIRESASTOWHATITISTHEYWILLBEEATING.

UntilIbegantravelingtoEastAsia,Ineverrealizedhowbigadealthefoodweeatcanbe.MostAmericanshavedifficultyadjustingtothechangeincuisine,especiallywhenthefoodofferedthemstillbearsastrikingsimilaritytoitsappearancebeforeitwascooked.TheCorinthianswere also concerned aboutwhatwas for dinner. But the issuewasn’t

taste. The questionwas, “Is it permissible for us to eatmeat that has been sacrificed toidols?”SomeCorinthiansfeltfreetoeatanymeatwhatsoever,evenmeatsofferedtoidols.Others were so sensitive to this matter that they would not eat anything without firstknowingitsorigin.Paulwarns theuninhibited against overconfidence.Heuses as an example the ancient

Israeliteswho fell into idolatryandwereseverelydisciplined.Theyshoulddowhat theirfathersfailedtodo—“fleefromidolatry.”HesetsthetableoftheLordalongsidethetableofpagan idolatry toshowthat justasparticipating incommunionunitesuswithChrist.Participatinginidolworshipunitesuswithdemons.PaulpointsoutthattheliberatedCorinthianshadarighttoeatmeatspurchasedatthe

marketbutthatdoingsocouldhaveanegativeeffectonthosebelieverswhocouldnoteatwith a clear conscience. Not to eat would require self-discipline and self-sacrifice like arunnerinarace.Paul gives two guiding principles concerning the exercise of Christian liberties. First,

whetherweeatordrinkorwhateverwedoshouldglorifyGod.Andsecond,ouractionsshouldnotoffendothersbutbenefitthem,especiallythelost.

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HEROLEOFWOMEN ISAHOTBUTTON ISSUE INTHECHURCHASWELLASSOCIETY.THEAPOSTLEPAUL’SSTATEMENTINVERSE2THAT“THEMANISTHEHEADOFTHEWOMAN”IS

OFTENATTHECENTEROFTHISCONTROVERSY.ItisimportanttonotethatPaulmakesnodistinctionbetweenmenandwomeninterms

ofpersonalworth,intellectorspirituality.Hedoes,however,acknowledgethatGodmadea difference betweenmen and women and that each has a unique role and function inGod’sorder.In verse 3 he establishes a divine principle that shows thatwoman’s subordination to

manispartofauniversalprinciplethatincludeseventhegodhead.TheFatheristheheadoverChrist,Christistheheadoftheman,andthemanistheheadofthewoman.Inhisredemptiveministry,theSonwassubjecttotheFathereventhoughHeisequalto

theFather.Likewise,thewomanissubjecttothemaneventhoughinChristsheisequaltotheman.Inthatculture,wearingaheadcoveringsymbolizedthissubmission.TheApostlegives another reason for submission.Hepointsout thatmanwas created

first and that woman was created for man. Even so, in God’s design they are bothphysically and spiritually interdependent (11:8-12). Man’s authority is not inherent butdelegated.Finally,Paulsaysthatnatureitselfteachestheneedforawomantobecovered.Herlong

hair isgiven toherasanaturalcovering. It isunlikely thatPaulmeant forallwomen ineveryculturetowearahead-covering,buthedidexpectthemtousetheir longhairasacoveringandasasymboloftheirsubmissiontoGod’sorder.

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HEOBSERVANCEOFTHELORD’SSUPPERCANBEONEOFTHEMOSTMEANINGFULTIMESFORABELIEVER.ITCANALSOQUICKLYDEGENERATE INTOAPERVERTEDRITUALTHATDISHONORS

CHRISTANDBRINGSJUDGMENTUPONTHEPARTICIPANTS.Theearlychurchapparentlyheldlovefeasts(Jude12)thatclosedwiththeobservanceof

communion. They had turned this sacred time into a gluttonous, drunken revelry thatdividedthechurch.Thewealthy,selfishlybroughtabundantprovisionforthemselvesbutwould not share with the poorer members, letting them go hungry and adding to thesenseofdivision.Paul condemns this behavior and reminds them that the true meaning of the Lord’s

supper is to remember Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. His description of Christ’s finalmeal with his disciples is beautifully simple and succinct. Most conservative scholarsbelievethisletterwaswrittenbeforeanyofthegospels.Ifthatisthecasethisisthefirstbiblical instructiongivenabouttheLord’ssupperandwasreceivedbyPauldirectly fromtheLord.MostcommuniontablesareinscribedwithJesus’famouswordsrevealedinthispassage,“InRemembranceofMe”.Since thisobservance is so significant it is important thatweprepareourheartswhen

wecometotheLord’stable.Paulwarnsagainstreceivingtheelementofcommunion“inanunworthymanner”.Theyweresurprisedto learnthatmuchofthesicknessanddeathamongthemwastheresultofGod’sdisciplinefortheirunrepentantsinanddisrespectoftheLord’ssupper.Ifwearetoparticipateinaworthymanner,wemustexamineourownhearts,judgeoursins,andconfessthemtotheLord.

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HENEXTTHREECHAPTERSCOMPOSETHEMOSTEXTENSIVETREATMENTOFTHEGIFTSOFTHESPIRITINTHENEWTESTAMENT.

SomemembersmisunderstoodgiftsoftheSpiritsocompletelythattheyregardedtheirown spiritual gifts with pride and exclusiveness. In addition, they tended to place aninordinatevalueononeofthemostdramaticofthem,namely,speakingintongues.Theconflict that surrounded this gift resulted in furtherdivisionof a church already tornbyfactions. Ironically,ratherthanoperatingbytheSpirit theywerefunctioningintheflesh.Pauldevotesmorespacetothisproblemthananyother.TheApostle’sfirststepinresolvingthisissuewastofocusontheonenessofthechurch.

HepointedoutfourwaysthattheSpiritbringsaboutspiritualunity.First,weconfessthesameLord (12:1-3)Theultimatetestof thepowerandpresence

oftheHolySpiritistheconfessionthatJesusisLord.OnlythroughtheSpiritcanapersonhonestlyaffirmthatreality.Thisstandsinstarkcontrasttotheirlifeaspagans.Second, we rely upon the same God (12:4-6). There are different gifts, different

ministries, and different results fromusing those gifts but they all come from the samedivine source. “The same Spirit… the same Lord… the sameGod” points to the triunenatureofGod.Third,weminister to the samebody (12:7-11). These gifts are sovereignly given by

God for the good of the entire church, not for the enjoyment or exaltation of theindividual.Finally,wereceivedthesamebaptism(12:12-13).ThebaptismofSpiritoccursatour

spiritualconversionwhenweareplungedintothebodyofChristbytheSpirithimself.

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HEHUMANBODYISANAMAZINGCOLLECTIONOFPARTS,ORGANSANDBIOLOGICALSYSTEMSCONTAININGNEARLY100TRILLIONCELLS.

Modern science has identified at least eleven different systems that carry out specificfunctions necessary for everyday living. Each is incredibly complex. The skeletal systemconsists of 206 bones that are connected by tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Themuscularsystemhasabout650musclesthatintegrateswiththeskeletalsystemtoenablemovement. The circulatory system includes the heart, also amuscle, which beats about100,000timesadaypushing2,000gallonsofbloodthroughabout60,000milesofbloodvessels. No organ or system of the body functions independently of the others. Thesediversesystemsfunctioninunity.Pauluses theanalogyofahumanbody toshowhowthechurch is to function.As the

bodyhasmanydifferentpartsthatfunctioninharmony,sothechurch,whichismadeupofpeoplewhoarediverseintheirspiritualgifts,istofunctioninharmoniousunity.ThebodyofChristneedsdifferentfunctionsifitislive,growandserve.Asmembersof

thebodyofChristweshouldnotcompareourselvestoothermembersbecauseeachoneis different and each one is important. This diversity is evidence ofGod’swisdom. In ahealthy human body, the various members cooperate with each other and evencompensateforeachotherwhenacrisisoccurs.Wecanneversaytooneanother,“Idon’tneedyou.”Themorewediscoverourdependenceononeanotherthemorewepromoteunity.PaulremindsusthatitisGodwhobestowsthegiftsandassignstheofficesassuringthat

eachlocalcongregationhaswhatitneedstofunctionproperly.

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PIRITUAL GIFTS, NO MATTER HOW EXCITING AND WONDERFUL, ARE USELESS AND EVENDESTRUCTIVEIFTHEYARENOTADMINISTEREDINLOVE.

ThemainevidenceofmaturityintheChristianlifeisagrowingloveforGodandforhispeople, aswell asa love for lost souls. Ithaswellbeensaid that love is the“circulatorysystem”ofthebodyofChrist.Context is critical to understanding this passage. Certainly, this comprehensive

definition of love can be applied to themarriage relationship but it is secondary to theapostle’semphasis.WemustrememberthatPaulwasaddressingissuesinthechurchsuchas theabuseof thegiftof tongues, theenvyofothers’ gifts, selfishness, and impatiencethatthreatenedtodividethechurch.Forthatreason,Paulextolsthreequalitiesoflovethatmakeitthe“moreexcellentway.”First, love gives ministry its value (13:1-3). Paul gives five examples of how his

spiritualgiftsmightbeusedinadmirableways.However,hepointsoutthattheseactionswouldbeofnoprofit tohim if theywere exercised apart from love.Love translatesoureffortsintovaluableservicethatenrichesthechurch.Second, love builds up others (13:4-7). The purpose of spiritual gifts is to edify the

church(1Corinthians14:26).This requires lovebecause lovedemands thatwe focusonothers rather thanonourselves.This is really theessenceof love. It isnotself-centered.Forthisreason,itcanbepatientwithotherswhileseekingtobuildthemup.Third, loveenduresforever (13:8-13). Paul seems to indicate that the gifts related to

divine revelation in the early church would cease with the completion of Scripture(13:8,10)butlovewillalwaysbeessentialinthechurch.

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AUL ADDRESSES THE MISUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS (ESPECIALLY TONGUES) IN THE PUBLICWORSHIPSERVICESOFTHECHURCH.

Contrary to the principle of love, many of the Corinthian believers wanted to buildthemselves up rather than build up their fellow believers. Paul reminded them that theprimarypurposeof spiritualgifts is theedificationof thewholechurch(14:26).Toedifymeans“tobuildup”inthesenseofstrengtheningandencouragingbelieversintheirfaith(14:3).Logically, foredificationtooccur,hearersmustunderstandwhat isbeingsaid.Forthat

reason, thegiftofprophecy ispreferredover speaking in tongues (14:1).Paulexplainedthesuperiorvalueofprophecyovertonguesbycontrastingthetwogifts.While tongues are real languages, they cannot be understood unless translated. The

personspeakingintonguesmaybeenjoyinghisworshipofGodbutheisbenefitingonlyhimself. Some people have the idea that speaking in a tongue is evidence of spiritualmaturity,butPaultaughtthatitispossibletoexercisethegiftinanimmaturemanner.Prophesy,ontheotherhand,isunderstoodandbuildsupthehearers.Thisemphasizes

theimportanceofdoctrinalteaching.Worshipmustbebasedontruth,oritmaybecomesuperstitious emotionalism. Christians need to know what they believe and why theybelieveit.Threesimpleillustrations,themusicalnotesofaflute,thebattlecallofabugle,andthe

words of a foreign language, all reinforce that clear communication is critical toedification. The private use of spiritual giftsmay edify the user but itwill not edify thechurchwhenthemessageisnotclear.WeneedtoemphasizesharingtheWordofGodsothatthechurchwillbestrengthenedandgrow.

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AVINGCLEARLY ESTABLISHED THAT PREACHING AND TEACHING TAKE PRECEDENCE OVEREVERYTHING ELSE IN THE CHURCH, PAUL DEVOTES THE REST OF THE CHAPTER TO THE

IMPORTANCEOFALLTHINGSBEINGDONE“PROPERLYANDINANORDERLYMANNER.”First,hetalksabouttheimportanceoforderregardingtheuseoftongues.Tonguesare

nottobeallowedwithoutinterpretation.Onlytwoorthreemayspeakinanyserviceandtheymustdosointurn,notatthesametime.Similarly,onlytwoorthreeprophetsarepermittedtospeak,andtheothersaretotest

theirmessagestosee if theycomefromGod.Today,weevaluatewhetherthemessage isconsistentwithScripture.Ifaspeakergets“carriedaway,”itisproofthattheSpiritisnotspeaking;forwhentheSpiritisatwork,thereisself-control.It seems that some women in the assembly were creating disruptions by asking

questions out of place.When men or women act out of place in the church, they teardown thechurch insteadofbuilding itup.Paulalso laysa responsibilityupon themen;they were to teach their wives spiritual truths, but to do so at home. Unfortunately, inmanyfamiliesitisthewifewhomustteachthehusband!Finally,Paulsays,ifyouaretrulyspiritualyouwillproveitbyobeyingtheWordofGod.

The Spirit of God never works apart from or contrary to Scripture. This is a criticalprincipletorememberwhenitcomestospiritualgifts.Wecannotbeguidedbysomeone’ssubjectiveemotionalexperience,butwecanbeguidedbytheunchanging,objectiveWordofGod.

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URWORLDRARELYHEARSGOODNEWS.CHAOS,TRAGEDY,ANDWICKEDNESSDOMINATETHEHEADLINES.

Christians have been entrusted with the “gospel,” or “good news,” and peopledesperatelyneedtohearit.Thegospelmustbepreached.Pauldevotedhislifetoproclaimingthegoodnews“that

Christ died forour sins according to theScriptures and thathewasburied, and thathewasraisedonthethirdday…"(15:3-4).Hewas“…notashamedofthegospelforitisthepowerofGod for salvation to everyonewho believes" (Romans 1:16). He sensed a divine obligation todeclareit.Inthissense,allChristiansare“preachers.”WemustverballyshareChristwithlostpeople.The gospelmust be received.When Paul preached to the Corinthians they willingly

“received”thegospel.Theywerenotmanipulatedorforcedtodoso.TheyrespondedtoGod’s grace. Today, people must still receive Christ. Merely believing facts about Jesusdoesnotsave.Demonsdothat(James2:19).WemustbelievethegospelandalsoreceiveChrist(John1:12).Thegospelbringssalvation.Paul“preached”thegospel, theCorinthians“received” it,

and as a result, they were “saved.” Their salvation allowed them to “stand” spiritually.Though theyhad lived sinful lives, thegospelhad changed themcompletely.That samegospelwilltransformpeopleinourdayaswell.ThisworldneedstohearsomegoodnewsandChristianshavethebestnewsavailable!

Wesimplyneedtocommunicateit.Manywillrejectitbutsomewillrespondpositivelytowhat theyhear. LikePaul,weneed to openourmouths and “makeknown” to them thegoodnews!

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EOPLETODAYAREUNCERTAINABOUTWHATHAPPENSTOAPERSONAFTERTHEYDIE.UndertheinfluenceofHollywood,somethinkwebecomeangelsorghosts,orthat

wearereincarnated.OtherssayassomeoftheCorinthiansdid,“Thereisnoresurrectionfrom the dead.” Paul strongly refutes this assertion, offering four evidences for bodilyresurrection.Historical evidence (15:1-11): The Corinthians did not doubt Christ’s resurrection. It

wassupportedbythemessageofthegospelandthetestimonyofwitnesses.SinceChristwas raised, resurrection from the dead is obviously possible.On the other hand, unlessmen in general can’t be resurrected, Christ could not have been raised. The tworesurrections stand or fall together. Christ’s resurrection assures the reality ourresurrection.Personalevidence(15:12-19):Ifthereisnoresurrectionthegospelwasalie,theirfaith

wasvain,andtheywerestillintheirsins!Doctrinalevidence (15:20-28): The first Adam brought sin and death into theworld,

TheLastAdam(Christ),hasconquereddeath.Christ is the firstofagreatharvestyet tocome.Whenhecomes,thedeadinChristwillberaisedandall thingswillbeputunderhisfeet,includingdeath.Practicalevidence(15:29-34):Theywerepracticingbaptismwhichisasymbolofdeath,

burial,andresurrection.Theordinancehasnomeaning if there isnoresurrectionof thedead.Paulcitesthemanydangersinhisministry,andsaysineffect,“Surelyitisfoolishforme to riskmy life daily if there is no resurrection! If there is no resurrection, then weoughttoeat,drink,andbemerry!Enjoylifewhilewecan!”Donotbedeceivedbybadinfluences.Thereisabodilyresurrectionofthedead(15:33).

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ESURRECTION ISANAMAZINGCONCEPT TO PONDER. ITMAKESUSASK, “HOWARE THEDEADRAISED?”

Paulanswersthisquestionusinganillustrationfromnature.Aseedthatisplanteddiesandbearsfruit,andthefruit,whileidentifiedwiththeoriginalseed,isdifferentfromit.Theresurrectionbody,likethebodiesintheheavens,willhaveitsownkindofglory.It

is not the samebody thatwas planted, but there is continuity between the buried bodyandtheresurrectionbody.Thephysicalbodylaidinthegraveundergoescorruption,buttheresurrectionbodywill

notdecay;itwillhavepowerandglory.PauldealswiththeSecondComingofChristandwhat itmeanstoboththe livingand

the dead (15:51). “We shall not all sleep (die),” because some saintswill be alivewhenChrist returns; “but we shall all be changed.” Thismystery concerns the rapture of thechurch.WhenChristreturns,thedeadshallberaisedfirst,thelivingcaughtupwiththem,andallwillbechangedtobelikeChrist.Andallofthiswillhappeninthetwinklingofaneye.Beestingshurtbadly.That’sbecausebees injectvenomthatcausespain,swelling,and

sometimes anaphylaxis or death. Fortunately, for thosewhohave an allergic reaction aninjectionofepinephrinecancounteract theeffectsof thevenom.Yes, thestingstillhurtsbut its deadly effects are defeated. Death is our greatest enemy but through Christ’sresurrectiondeathhasbeenswallowedupinvictory.FortheChristian,thestinghasbeenremoved.We can faithfully serve Christ knowing our work will count for eternity. Because the

tombisempty,ourfaithisnotempty!

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FTERHEARINGTHEGLORIOUSTRUTHSOFTHERESURRECTION,WEAREBROUGHTBACKTOTHEPRACTICALREALITYOFEVERYDAYLIFE.

Doctrineanddutygotogether.Christ’sresurrectionpowermotivatesustogiveandtoserve.“Nowconcerningthecollection”arenotwordsmostChristianswanttohear.Buttothe

creditofthebelieversatCorinth,theyhadaskedPaulaboutthecollectionhewastakingforthepoorsaintsinJerusalem.Inresponse,PaulsharessomevitalprinciplesforgivingthatnotonlyapplytothatofferingbuttoChristiangivingingeneral.Givingistobeanactofworship.Theearlychurchmeton“thefirstdayofeveryweek”

(or theLord’sDay) in recognitionof the resurrectionofChrist.Eachmemberwas tobepreparedtogivehisshareforthatweek.Givingwasapartoftheirworship.Givingistoberegular.Anofferingwastobegiven“everyweek”orinaccordancewith

whatever regular pattern they receivedmoney (prospered). Theywere to “put aside andsave”thesegiftssothattheofferingwouldbereadywhenPaularrived.Giving is to be personal and individual. It is specified that “each one of you” is to

contribute.Givingistobeproportionate.Theyweretogiveastheyhad“prospered.”Pauldoesnot

specifyapercentage.TheonlyprincipleisthatastheLordgivesusmore,weshouldgivemore. Giving should be from the outflow of God’s grace in our lives not the result ofpressureorguilt.Givingistoberesponsible.ThechurchesappointeddelegatestohelpPaulmanagethe

offeringandtakeitsafelytoJerusalem.Thisdemonstratedfinancialaccountability.

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JULY12Corinthians1:1

ETTERSWEREWRITTENONASCROLL INTHEFIRSTCENTURY. ITWAS IMPORTANTFORTHESENDERTOIDENTIFYHIMSELFATTHEBEGINNINGOFTHELETTER.

The apostle begins this letter by identifying his authorship of the epistle. He alsoidentifieshisapostolicauthority towritedownthemessage fromGodandgive it to thebelievers in the southernareaofGreece, and specifically, to those in the cityofCorinth.TheCorinthianchurchhadcomeintoexistenceduringPaul’ssecondmissionary journey.Hehadlaterwrittentothem(1Corinthians)aboutseveralspiritualdiscrepancies,andlessthanhonorablebehavior,amongsomeofthebrethreninthatgreatcity.Afterwritinghisfirst letter, andduringhis further travels,Paulhad come in contactwithTitus,who toldhim that the first letter was generally well received and proved to be most effective.However, he also learned from Titus that there was still a major problem there. Titusinformed him that there was a faction that refused to accept that Paul was a genuineapostletherebyrefusingtoaccepthisauthoritytospeakforGod.BeforePaulcouldcometotheminCorinthagain,hepennedthisletterandsentitahead

bythehandofTitus.PauldefendshisApostolicauthority.Hisfierypersonalityandintenseemotionsareprobablymoreevidentinthisepistlethaninanyotherofhiswritings.Thisbookhaslessemphasisondoctrinal issuesthanmostofhisotherwritings,but it

does carry more personal experiences such as his “thorn in the flesh” and his being“caughtupintothethirdheaven”,aswellasdefendinghisapostolicoffice.ThethemeofthebookisthatoneshouldalwaysbefaithfultoChrist.Thatisatruthwe

allneedtoremembertoday.

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FTHEREISONETHINGCONSISTENTINTHEWRITINGSOFTHEAPOSTLEPAUL,ITWOULDMOSTCERTAINLYBETHEGREETINGTHATHESHAREDINEVERYSINGLEEPISTLEPRESERVEDFORUSIN

THECANONOFSCRIPTURE.The twoGreekwordsare “charis”, translated“grace”, and“eirene”, translated“peace”.

Obviously,PaulremindshisreadersthatthesetwopreciousconceptscomefromGod.What greater gift should we wish for our brothers and sisters in Christ than the

unmeritedfavorofourHeavenlyFather?Eachofushave,throughfaithinChrist,receivedthegraciousgiftofGod,resultinginbeingdeclaredrighteousbyGod,himself.Itinvolvesmore than mere forgiveness of transgressions. It involves more than pardon from thepenaltyofsin.ItissomethingthatGodalonecandoforus.Itisjustification.Itbringsusinto the familyofGod, through themostunique relationship that canexistbetween thecreatureandhisCreator.ThebestadjectiveJohnNewtoncouldcomeupwithinregardtothisgracewas“amazing.”Paulunderstoodthatwehavenotbeenchosentobeareservoirofgrace,buttobeaconduitofgracetoothers.Theotherkeyword inhisuniformgreeting is “eirene”whichdenotes“rest,quietness,

andpeace.”OneofJesus’messianictitleswas“PrinceofPeace”andhe,throughGodtheFather’sgrace, is theonly sourceof truepeace.Theonewhocalmed the raging sea canbringpeacetothemoststormtossedsoul.I can thinkofnobettergreeting that I could sharewithanyone than thatof “grace to

you”and“peacefromGodourFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.”

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JULY32Corinthians1:3-7

LLOFUSHAVEBEENINASTATEOFDISCOMFORTMANYTIMESINOURLIVES.Ourdiscomforthasincludedsuchsimplethingsascolicordiaperrashininfancy.

As we grew, we have experiencedmany other symptoms of discomfort from somethingsimple like hunger or an upset stomach to serious illness. Discomfort is not always aphysical.Financial,familial,andemotionalissuescanbringaboutgreatmentaldiscomfortaswell.Anyonewho thinks that being a child ofGodwillmake them immune to problems is

sadlymistaken.Inthisflesh,wewillalwaysbesubjecttophysical,emotional,andspiritualsuffering.Tribulationsandevenpersecutioncan,anddo,cometobelievers.In verses three through seven of 2 Corinthians 1, the apostle makes reference to

afflictionsandsufferingsixtimes.ThereisagreatdealofhurtinggoingoninthelivesofGod’s people. Satan cannot take fromuswhatChrist has purchased for us, but he doesseemtohaveaninsidetrackonstealingourjoyandmarringourtestimony.IamthankfulthatourGodisthe“Godofallcomfort”.Heisabletoeaseallthepainand

suffering theenemycan throwourway! In these fiveverses,Paulmakes reference to thecomfortofGodtentimes!JustaswearedesignedtobeconduitsofGod’sgrace,andnot justreservoirsof it,we

arealsocalledtocomfortthosewhoareundergoingsufferingandaffliction.Inlightofhisloveandcareforus,letusbeawareofthosewhoneedtobetouchedbythoseofuswhoarerepresentativesoftheGodofallcomfort!

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READ A QUOTE IN THIS MORNING’S PAPER QUOTING A FORMER HEROIN ADDICT WHO WASTALKINGABOUTTHEMOMENTWHENHEREALIZEDHISLIFEWASATTHELOWESTPOINTITCOULD

POSSIBLYBE.Hesaid, “Iknew Iwashitting rockbottom,but Ihadno idea that rockbottomhada

basement!Icouldn’tgetanylowerthanwhereIwas.”Haveyoueverbeentoaplaceinyourlifewhereitseemsthatyouareinasituationthat

just can’t get any worse? What do you do? Your resources are depleted. You have nosupportnetwork.Familyandfriendsseemtohavevanished.Perhapsit’sfinancial.Perhapsit involvessomeaddiction.Maybeit involvesaseriousmedicalsituation.Yourlifeseemstobeasgoodasover.Whatdoyoudo?Maybeyouhavebeenthere.Perhapsyouaretravelinginthatdeepgorgenow.Ifnot,it’s

verylikelythatyouwillexperiencethiscrushingreality.Helpless.Hopeless.Indespair.Allofusarelikelytofindourselvesatthisdesolateplaceatsometimeoranotherinourlives.Nooneisimmune.WhydoesGodallowthistohappentous,especiallythoseofuswhoseektoservehim?Paul finds himself in such a place. Notice that he says “Indeed, we felt that we had

receivedthesentenceofdeath”(1:9).Itcan’tgetanyworsethanthat.Yetnoticewhathesaysnext.Whenwecometotheendofourselves,God’spurposeisobviouslytoteachustorelyfullyonhim–the“Godwhoraisesthedead!”(1:9).NosituationishopelesstoourGod!

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NECOULDCERTAINLYSAYTHATTHEBIBLEISABOOKOFGOD’SPROMISESTOHISPEOPLE.TheBibleisfullofpromises.Onescholarhasidentified3,573specificpromisesin

God’sWord.Theword“promise,”itself,appearsfiftytimesintheBible.ThefirstpromiseintheBibleisfoundinGenesis3:15,andthelastoneisinRevelation

22:20.The former is thepromiseof thecomingMessiahwhowould“crush thehead”ofSatan.ThelatterisapromiseofJesus’comingagain.In1Corinthians1:20,Paultellsus,“… all the promises of God find their yes in him.” All of the promises of God areguaranteedbyourLordJesusChrist.We sometimes make promises and fail to follow through. But not our great God.

ConsidertheBibletruthfoundin2Peter3:9,“TheLordisnotslowtofulfillhispromiseas some count slowness, but is patient toward you, notwishing that any shouldperish,butthatallshouldreachrepentance.”Godhasguaranteedhispromisestousthroughhisson.WhenmywifeandIsignedacontracttobuyourfirstlittlehouse,severaldecadesago,

wepromisedtopaythepurchasepriceoverseveralyearsofmonthlyinstallments.Tosealthedeal,wewroteacheckwithasizabledeposit to“guarantee”thatwewouldfulfill thetermsofthecontract.As Christians, whenwe came to repentance and trusted in Jesus as our only hope of

salvation,Godplacedhisguaranteeonourlives.WecanknowbecausePaultellsusherein2Corinthians1:21-22, that Jesushimselfhas“puthis sealonus.”Webelong tohim,nowandforever.Weknowthatwearehis,becausehehasgivenusthe“guarantee”oftheHolySpiritinourlives.

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NTHEGLORYDAYSOFTHEROMANEMPIRE,DEFEATWASNEVERANOPTIONFORTHELEGIONSOFSOLDIERSWHOFOUGHTINCAMPAIGNSFROMSPAINTOTHEARABIANPENINSULA.

Rome ruled the world and was always seeking to extend its boundaries. Following avictoriousbattle, theconqueringgeneralwouldbeparadedthroughthestreetsofRome,before a cheering crowd, in a triumphal procession. This procession eventually endedbeforeCaesar,whowouldplaceacrownofhonoruponthevictoriouscommander.It’sthestuffepicHollywoodmoviesweremadeof.Formost of uswho serve the Lord JesusChrist, there does not appear to be a lot of

visible glory in our day to day endeavors. We go about our jobs, family activities,shopping, house and yardwork, child care, and recreational activities in away that canusually be considered routine. Oh, there is a church service, here and there, to lift ourspiritsandencourageustodoourpartinspreadingthegospel,butnothingparticularlyglamorous in the eyes of the world. I’m thankful that things aren’t always how theyappear.GodhascausedustotriumphinChrist.Heguidesourpathstovictory,evenwhenwe

maynot recognize the realityof thebattle aroundus.Aswe trusthim to leadus inourdailylives,wedon’talwaysrealizeheisbringingusforth,inatriumphalprocession,thatonedaywillconclude,notbeforeCaesar,butbeforetheKingofKings!As we follow Christ, we are spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of him

everywhere. Be faithful and faint not. Talk the talk andwalk thewalk, letting others seeJesus inyou.Thesweetaromaof theSaviorwill alwayscome throughaswewalk inhisfootsteps!Thecrowdsmaynotbecheeringhere,buttheywillwhenwegethome!

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E LIVE IN A CULTURE THAT APPLAUDS CELEBRITIES. FROM THEWORLDOF SPORTS, TOENTERTAINMENT,TOPOLITICS,EVENTORELIGION,EVERYONELOVESTHECELEBRITY.

In many cases, the celebrity status is simply a façade–a front to put up a certainglamorousimagefortheadoringfans.Thisfakefrontoftenmaskswhothepersonreallyis.Inshort,thereisalotofphoninessseenaroundus.There’salotofthatgoingaroundinthereligiousrealmtoday.Forexample,thesmiling

charlatanwhorecitesalittleroutineabouttheBibleandthenneverproceedstouseanyofit inhis sermon.Or the charming and charismatic characterwho slays theunsuspectingperson to thecheersof thecrowd.Or thedramatic characterwho isencouragingyou tosendyourgenerousofferingtohimandexpectyour“breakthrough”fromGod.Sadly,thehorizonisfilledwithspiritualsnakeoilsalesmenwhoenrichthemselvesand

cheapenthecauseofChristthroughtheirspiritualchicanery.ThosetypeswerearoundinPaul’sdayandtheyarestillhereinourtime.Paul theApostleremindsusthatwearetobedifferent.Wearenot“peddlersofGod’s

word”but“menofsincerity.”IthankGodforthepastorswhowillstandforandproclaimthefullcounselofGod’sWord.Theycanbefoundinmanysmallcountrychurches,brickbuildings uptown, and in megachurches in the suburbs. They may be in thatched roofhuts in farawayplaces servingChrist.Thesettingsmaybedifferent,but themessage isthesame.ThankGodformenhehascommissionedwhospeakthetruthinChrist,inthesightof

Godandmen.

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IKETHECORINTHIANCHRISTIANS,LETUSBEREMINDEDOFGOD’SPURPOSEINUS.IhavelongbelievedthattheaverageChristianinAmericatodayisinfluencedmore

bytheir localAmericanizedChristiancultureandextrabiblicaltraditionsthantheyarebytheWord of God. For the average unbeliever, watchingmany of us would only lead toconfusion as towhat a trueChrist follower really is.My old pastorwas fond of saying,“TheonlyBiblemostunsavedpeoplewilleverreadiswhattheyseeinyourlife.”Ifthatisthecase,wemaybeinbigtrouble!TheapostlePaulremindstheCorinthianChristians–andus–whatweare.Hesaysthat

we,whohavetrustedChristarealetterfromChrist,notthekindofletterwrittenininkorevenchiseledintostone,butonewrittenonthetabletofhumanhearts.Itbegsthequestion,whatkindof“epistle’arewe?Weoftencomplicateour“letter”throughlessthanChrist-likebehaviorthatwouldcause

a non-believer to wonder, what makes that guy’s life any better than mine? Our Lordwants his letter to be “easy reading”, not a confusing and conflictingmessage to thosewhoneedtounderstanditthemost.We,whohavetrulycometoGodinrepentanceandtrustedinChristaloneforsalvation,

areavaluablecommodityforhiminthisdepraved,andsin-darkenedworld.Wetrulyarethe only gospel that some people will ever read. My question is, are we transparentenoughforlostpeopletobeabletoseeJesusinus?Letusremember,“SuchistheconfidencethatwehavethroughChristtowardGod.Not

thatwearesufficientinourselvestoclaimanythingascomingfromus,butoursufficiencyisfromGod”(3:4-5).

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OLYBOLDNESSISAQUALITYTHATISFOUNDINTHOSEWHOHAVEASTRONGRELATIONSHIPWITHTHELORD.

Fearandalackofboldnessoftencausesustocommitthe“sinofsilence”whenwehaveallbeencalledtobewitnessesforChrist.In the book of Acts, following the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers, we see

boldnessasabenchmarkoftheirbehavior,eveninthefaceofpersecution.NoteActs4:13,“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they wereuneducated,commonmen,theywereastonished.AndtheyrecognizedthattheyhadbeenwithJesus.”EvenafterhavingbeenpunishedandthreatenedbytheSanhedrinCourtandinstructednevertospeakinthenameofJesusagain,whatdidPeterandJohndo?It’s important to note what they did not do. They didn’t run out and find a good

Christianattorneythroughthe“JudeanCenterforLawandJustice”.TheydidnotorganizeamarchthroughthestreetsofJerusalem,aprotestpicketatthetemplecomplex,orasit-inat thehomeof thehighpriest.Theydidnothitall themediaoutletswiththeirstory,nordidtheyimploreGodtosenddownfirefromheaven.Hereiswhattheydiddo:theyprayed.Acts 4:29 and 31 read, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your

servants tocontinuetospeakyourwordwithallboldness…Andwhentheyhadprayed,theplace inwhich theyweregathered togetherwasshaken,and theywereall filledwiththeHolySpiritandcontinuedtospeakthewordofGodwithboldness.”Resistance to our message will grow. We can expect increasing persecution.

Nevertheless, pray for boldness to share the gospelmessage far andwide to thosewhoneeditinthissindarkenedworld.

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HEWRITEROFHEBREWSTELLSUSTHATJESUS IS“THERADIANCEOFTHEGLORYOFGODANDTHEEXACTIMPRINTOFHISNATURE”(HEBREWS1:3).

Isn’tthatapowerfulstatement?IconfessthatIdon’talwaysthinkofJesusinthatway,but I should. John tellsus,“Inhimwas life,and the lifewas the lightofmen.The lightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercomeit”(John1:4-5).Nowconsider thatPaul is saying, in thispassageof2Corinthians, that the reason the

GoodNewsof JesusChrist ishiddenfromsomanypeople is thatSatan(thegodof thisworld)hasblindedthemindsofunbelievers.Howhastheenemybeenabletoblindpeopletothegospel?Firstandforemost,he is the fatherof lies.SincehisencounterwithEve inthegarden,

his lieshavebroughtblindness to yielding souls.Heblindspeople to theknowledgeofGodwith“thelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife”.IfthePrinceofDarkness can make his three pronged attack strong enough, he knows it can veil thespiritualeyesof fallenman.Thespiritualblindness isbadenough,but theworstpartofthesituationisthatthevictimsareperishing!Thisisadesperatesituation.We won’t rescue dying souls by studying demographics, marketing our churches,

passionately fighting culture wars, coercion, or even through legislation. True life andlightonlycomesthroughhearingthegospel.Wemustproclaimhimandnotourselves.

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LL ANCIENT GREEKS WOULD UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF THE “BEMA” OR THE“JUDGMENTSEAT.”

Thebemawasanelevatedseatthatservedtwopurposes.InCorinthitstoodinthetownsquare, where magistrates sat to hear cases and administer justice. It is also used inconnection with the athletic games, where the winning athletes would stand after thecontesttoreceiverecognitionandreward.Theuseofthistermwouldnotbe lostontheCorinthianrecipients.This scripture reminds us that each of us as believers will one day stand before the

judgmentseatofChrist.Thisjudgmentisnottodeterminewhetherornotwearesaved.Onlythesavedwillbethere.Thisisajudgmentofbelieversonly.Eventhoughthereis“nocondemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), Christians need torememberthatGodwillstillholdusresponsibleforwhathasbeendoneinourbodies.IrefertothisasourbeingassessedforourstewardshipastohowwehaveutilizedthegiftsthatGodhasplacedinus.Paulalsomentionsthe judgmentseat inRomans14:12wherehesaysthatatthattime,“SotheneachofuswillgiveanaccountofhimselftoGod.”Even with the sobering knowledge that we will one day stand before Christ, there is

anotheraspectofthisthatweshouldconsider.Inallaspectsofourlivesweshould“makeitouraimtopleasehim”(4:9).Thatshouldbeourultimategoal–tolivealifepleasingtotheMaster.Let us live in away that all we dowill please him. “So,whether you eat or drink, or

whateveryoudo,doalltothegloryofGod”(1Corinthians10:32).

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HREEYEARSAGO,IWATCHEDMYDAD’SHEALTHQUICKLYSPIRALDOWNOVERAPERIODOFFIVEWEEKS.

Althoughdealingwithissuesthatan87yearoldmanmightbeexpectedtohave,injustover a month, I watched him go from living independently, coming and going as hepleased, and taking care of himself, to spending his last days descending into a painfuldeath.Itwashardtowatch–rememberingtheguywhohadservedtheLordsofaithfullyinbi-

vocationalministrysince the late1940’s.Hewasabusyevangelist forover fourdecadesand continued inpastoring and inpulpit supplywell intohis80’s. I guess I just alwaysthought,subconsciously,thathewasinvincible,butweallknowthatwe’renot.WhenDadmadetheconsciousdecisionto foregoanymoredialysis, Iwantedtomake

sureheunderstoodtheconsequences.“Dad,ifyoustop,doyouknowwhatwillhappen?”Iasked.“Yes.I’llgotoheaven,andIamready,”camehisstrongreply.ThethingthatimpressedmethemostasmydadlaydyingwasthesamevibrantfaithI

hadwitnessedasachild.Onthelastdaythathewasabletocommunicatewithus,Isatbyhisbedsideandlistenedtohimtalkwithvisitorstohishospitalroomandseveralfriendswho had called on the phone.Hismessage to every one of themwas, “Next time I seeyou,itwillbeinheaven!”HeunderstoodwhatPaulwas sayingas the apostle closedout the lastof this chapter,

“Sowedonot loseheart.Thoughourouter self iswastingaway,our inner self isbeingrenewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternalweightofglorybeyondallcomparison”(4:16-17).Mydadknewthatthebestwasyettocome.

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HATAMESSAGE!ONLYONESINLESSPERSONEVERWALKEDTHEFACEOFTHISEARTH,ANDHEWASOFFEREDUP AS A SACRIFICE FOROUR SINS, SO THE RIGHTEOUSNESSOF GOD

MIGHTBEPLACEDONOURACCOUNT.WHATAPICTUREOFLOVE.WHATASTORYOFGRACESOAMAZING.Thisistoogreatamessagetokeeptoourselves.Godwantseverypersonontheplanet

tohear themessage. It is amessageof reconciliation.Paul tellsus, inprecedingverses,thatGodhasreconciledsinfulmentohimself,andhehasentrustedustotellthestorytoothers.Hehasgivenusaministryofreconciliation.SinseparatesusallfromGod.Sinceman’s

fallinthegarden,wehavebeencarriedfarawayfromGod.Oursinhasseparatedusfromallthatisgood,holyandlight.Wearetold,intheprecedingverse(5:19),that“inChristGodwasreconcilingtheworldtohimself,notcountingtheirtrespassesagainstthem,andentrustingtousthemessageofreconciliation.”It’sshockingtothinkthatyouandIcanrepresentAlmightyGodinthisworld,yetthis

isthereality.Afterreconcilingwiththosewhocometohimbyfaith,hesendsusforthasmessengersofhisgraceandmercyandgivesustheministryofreconciliation!Wearenotcalledtobereservoirsofhisgrace,buttobeconduitsof it–pipelinestoall

peoples in all nations. It is the greatest message of all time. We are blessed by it,personally,andblessedtobechosentoshareitwithothers.AreyouhisAmbassador?Areyouallowinghimtomakehisappealthroughyou?

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Y NEIGHBOR OF MANY YEARS WAS A WONDERFUL, MORALLY UPRIGHT MAN, A GOODNEIGHBOR,ANDANACTIVECITIZENINOURCOMMUNITY.IALWAYSREFERREDTOHIMAS

“THEMAYOROF49THSTREET.”Jackwasawonderfulneighborandfriend,buthewaslost.HiswifewasafaithfulmemberoftheBaptistchurcharoundthecornerfromourhouse.

His lovely daughters and their families were actively involved in churches in the citieswhere they resided. He “believed” in God, but in his words he “couldn’t get past” twoparticularissuesinhispersonalexperience.The firstwas the tragicdeathofhisgodlymother,whenhewasonlysixyearsold.He

could not understand why God would take her and leave behind several children whoneeded her. The other issuewas the exposure he had, over the years,whileworking inbusinesswithseveral“professing”Christians.IhadmanygospelconversationswithJack,overthreedecades,andhewouldtellmeof

these “hypocrites” and rationalize that he had highermoral standards than they did. “Ifthat’swhatbeingaChristianis,Idon’twantanypartofit!”he’dsay.ThehappyendingtothestoryisthatIhadtheprivilegeofleadingJacktoChristinhis

livingroomattheageof87.IwasblessedtohelpbaptizehimatSecondBaptistChurchthe nextweek. Jack is in heaven now, and I look forward to seeing him again there foreternity.HowsadthatSatanwasabletouseprofessingChristiansasanobstacleinkeepingthis

manblindedtothegospelforsomanyyears.Mayweneverbeguiltyofbeingsucharoadblocktoothers.

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JULY152Corinthians8

NTHISCHAPTER,PAULWRITESABOUTTHEGENEROUSGIVINGOFTHEBELIEVERSWHOMADEUPTHECHURCHESOFMACEDONIA.

HetalksofhowtheygavetotheworkoftheLord.Hesays it thisway,“for inaseveretest of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in awealthofgenerosityon theirpart” (8:2). It is amazingwhenone reads thispassageandrealizes that these folks who gave to support Paul’s ministry did not give from anabundance of wealth on their part. They gave from their extreme poverty! This is aconceptthatmanyChristiansjustdon’tcomprehend,buttheMacedoniansdefinitelydid.Their conceptofgivingshowed that theyunderstood thegreatestgiftofall. Jesuswas

rich beyond our imagination.Hewas the eternal Son ofGod,Creator, and owner of allthatexists.YetasBillandGloriaGaitherwrote,“Heleftthesplendorofheavenknowinghisdestiny.‘TwasthelonelyhillofGolgotha,theretolaydownhislifeforme!”Therearewellmeaning folkswhosay that they just “can’t afford” togiveGodwhat is

his.Howmisguided. TheMacedonians knew the secret.Whatwas that? Paul tells us inversefive,“TheygavethemselvesfirsttotheLordandthenbythewillofGodtous.”Theygavethemselves first to theLord!Theywereno longer theirown.Theyunderstoodtheyhad been bought with a price, and they belonged to him. That puts everything intoperspective.“Throughhispovertywehavebeenmaderich.”Understandingthegreatpriceofoursalvationhelpsusbegintocomprehend,notonly

howmuchweowehim,but the fact thatweshouldalsoshowthatsamegrace ingivingthatweseemodeledinthelifeofChrist.

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JULY162Corinthians11-12

TSOMEPOINT INOURCHRISTIANLIVES,WEMUSTCOMETOGRIPSWITHANUNPLEASANTTRUTH.

TherearesomethingsthatyouandIcannothandle. In fact, therearemanythingswewill faceinlifethatcomefromcircumstanceswecannotcontrol.WemusttrustourLordineveryaspectofourlives.Thatgoesagainstthegrainforus,sincewearetaughtfromthetimewearelittleones

thatwemustgrowuptobestrong.Eventually,however,wemustcometounderstandthatthereisa limittoourstrength, intellect,andabilities.Somesituationsrequirehelpfromonegreaterthanourselves.GeorgeDuffield, Jr.understoodthis truthandhewrote inhisgrandoldhymn,“Stand

UpForJesus”,“Standinhisstrengthalone;Thearmoffleshwillfailyou,yedarenottrustyourown.”Forme,thestarkrealitydidnothitmeuntil,atage54,Iwasdiagnosedwithstagefour

incurablecancer.Suddenly,IwasfacingacrisisthatIcouldn’tcontrol.IknewthatIhadtotrustinahigherpowerthanI.Paulunderstoodtheconcept.Hehadcometoapointwherehefeltthattheonlything

he could boast in was his own weakness. When he prayed repeatedly that God wouldremove a “thorn fromhis flesh,”God’s answerwas shocking, “My grace is sufficient foryou, formypower ismadeperfect inweakness.”Tothat,Pauldeclared,“ThereforeIwillboast all themore gladly ofmyweaknesses, so that the power ofChristmay rest uponme”(2Corinthians12:9).Whenwefacecircumstancesbeyondourcontrol,maywe,liketheapostle,learntostand

onthepromisesof Isaiah41:10,“Fearnot, for Iamwithyou;benotdismayed, forIamyourGod;Iwillstrengthenyou,Iwillhelpyou,Iwillupholdyouwithmyrighteousrighthand.”

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JULY17Galatians1:1-9

AVE YOU EVER FALLEN FOR SOMETHING? SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED TOO GOOD TO BETRUE,BUTTHATYOUHOPEDREALLYWAS?

Howeasyitsometimesisforustofallpreytosomethingthatseemssoenticing–evenspiritually!Sadly,manywhoclaimthenameofChristianhave“fallenforadifferentgospel,”butone

thatisnotthetruegospelatall.Youhear,“Godwillblessyouifyoufollowafterme!”Or“Godlovesyouandwantsyoutobewhole!”Whilethereistruthinsuchstatements,theycertainlyaren’tthewholetruth.After Paul greets his readers he jumps right inwith, “I’m just stunned! I can’t believe

you’returningawayfromGodsoquickly!”Perhapshisintentwastoshockthemandwakethem up to the truth that they had been slipping away. How easy it is to becomecomfortableandcomplacent.Ifearthat,ingeneral,theChurchinAmericaisinthesamesituation. We have lost the sense of urgency to share our faith. We relegate Jesus toSundaysratherthantoourentireweek.Wehavefallenpreyto“falsegospels.”Paulsayselsewhereto“testallthings”(1Thessalonians5:21).Weneedtoexaminewhat

gospelwearefollowingtobesureit’sthetruegospelofJesusChrist,notsimplywhatwewanttohear.Wecan’tpickandchoosethegoodpartsandignorewhatwedon’tlike.Yes,we are promised blessings we can’t even imagine! But we are also told that followingChristwon’tbeawalkinthepark!Letusbesurewearenotadheringtoadifferent,falsegospel.AswereadtheBibledaily,

wewilldiscoverwhatistrue.

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JULY18Galatians1:10

HEREARESOMANYONLINEQUIZZESTHESEDAYSTOFINDOUTWHATOTHERSTHINKOFYOU.REALLY?!BUTDEEP-DOWN(ORMAYBENOTSODEEP-DOWN!)WEAREALLCONCERNEDTO

SOMEDEGREEWITHWHATOTHERPEOPLETHINKOFUS.Weseeintheseverses,though,thattheapostlePauldidnotworryaboutthat.Hedidn’t

really care. He wasmore concerned with receiving approval from God than from otherpeople.Anditwasveryfreeingforhim!Asthesayinggoes,“Youcanpleasesomeofthepeopleallofthetime,youcanpleaseall

ofthepeoplesomeofthetime,butyoucan’tpleaseallofthepeopleallofthetime.”Soifit’s impossible toplease everyone,whydowe try sohard? In fact,whyarewe trying topleaseotherpeopleatall?WeshouldhavethesameattitudeasPaulwhobasicallysays,“DoyouthinkIcareabout

theapprovalofmenorabouttheapprovalofGod?AmIonamissiontopleasepeopleortheLord.” Ifourprimary concern ispleasing Jesus inour thoughts,ourwords, andouractions, wouldn’t our stress levels decrease? Wouldn’t our witness be more effective?Wouldn’tweturntheworldupsidedownastheearlychurchdid(seeActs17:6)?MayGodhelpusbemoreconcernedwithhisopinionofusthanweareoftheopinionsofothers.

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NEOFTHEGREATESTSTORIESINTHEBIBLEISTHECOMPLETEANDUTTERTRANSFORMATIONOFSAULTOPAUL.

Ithinkwetakeitforgrantednow,havingheardthestorysooften,thatwefailtograspwhatamiraculouseventitwas.WhilethestoryremindsusoftheamazingpowerofGod,italsoservestoencourageme

when I think that someone is beyondhope.For surelynoonewas as far fromknowingChrist as Savior as Saul was! He was not just against Jesus; he was going after hisfollowerswithavengeance!Hisintentwastodestroythechurch.ButGodtookthisenemyofhisandtransformedhimtobecomeoneofhismostfaithfulservants.IntheseversesPaulrelatesabitofhispersonalhistoryandshareshowGodrevealedhis

truthstohim.Howamazing!Paulwouldhavebeenlastonanylistofpotentialevangelistsintheearlychurch.Afterall,hehadactivelysoughttodestroyit!ButGodsawsomethinginPaul,somethinghecouldusetodemonstratehisamazingpowertochange.Thereareprobablypeople thatyouthinkare“too fargone”orbeyondhope. IknowI

canthinkofsome!ButGodisthesametodayashewastwentycenturiesago!Hecanstillrevealhimselfandworktobringotherstohim.Weneedtobefaithfulinourprayingforthese“lostcauses”andstrivetoshowandsharetheloveofJesus.

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EOFTENTHINKOFTHEEARLYCHURCHASANIDYLLICINSTITUTIONINWHICHEVERYONELIVEDINPEACEANDHARMONY.

Toacertaindegree,thiswastrue,butasthechurchgrewandbecamemorewidespread,thereweresomeproblemsthatarose.OneoftheprimaryissuesthatPaultackledinsomeofhiswritingswastheconflictthat

camefromJewishbelieverswhofeltthatGentileconvertsneededtoadheretotheirsystemof laws. Paul disagreed! He knew that to do so was to become enslaved all over again(2:4).SoPaulpresentedhiscasebeforethechurchleadersusingTitusasatestcase.Tituswas

aGentile convert and thuswas uncircumcised. Paul presented to the church leaders thegospel thathehadbeenproclaimingtotheGentiles. Ican imaginetheconcern inTitus’mindasheawaited theirvote:Wouldheneed tosubjecthimself tocircumcision tobeatruefollowerofChrist?Mighthebethecauseofasplitinthisfledglingchurch?TheleadersofthechurchacknowledgedPaul’sworkamongtheGentiles,andTituswas

not compelled to be circumcised. In fact, they all recognized the value of dividing thework!PaulandBarnabaswouldcontinuetominister toGentilepeopleswhile JamesandPeterandJohnwouldfocusonreachingtheirfellowJews.Thisprovidesuswithagoodexamplefordealingwithconflict.Alltoooftenwerushto

postonsocialmediathingstosupportoursideofamatterwithoutstoppingtoexaminetheotherside.Weseemtocaremoreaboutbeing“right”andgainingsupportthanwedoaboutdiscoveringthetruthanddoingwhat’srightforall.Whenfacedwithaconflict,mayGodguideusandhelpusfollowPaul’sexample.

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OORPETER!WEKNOWABOUTHISMANYFOIBLESDURINGHISTIMEWITHJESUS.Weknowhowhedenied Jesus thenightbefore thecrucifixion,butwealsoknow

thatoncetheHolySpiritcameinActs2,Peterwasthemostoutspokenproclaimerofthegospel!We remember how God made it clear to him in Acts 10 that salvation was for the

Gentiles aswell as the Jews,but somehow that convictionhadbeen fading so thatPeterwasnowseparatinghimselffromGentiles.Thefactis,hecavedunderpressurefromsomeofhisJewishfriends(Acts10:12).WhileweareoftenquicktojudgepoorPeter,IfindthatIamagreatdeallikehim.Often

our convictions are strong when we’re surrounded by like-minded people, but it’s notalwayseasytostandupforthosebeliefswhenamongthosewhomaynotsharethem.MayGodhelpustostandfirminourconvictions(see1Thessalonians2:15)nomatterwhereweare.The flip side of this, is recognizing when a brother or sister is wavering or even

compromising in matters of faith. Paul certainly saw the error of Peter’s ways in thismatter andwas quick to remonstrate.As he pointed out, Peterwas even leading othersastray!Wealsohavearesponsibilitytohelpandencourageoneanotherinourfaithwalk.Whenweseesomeonewhoseconvictionsarebeginning toslip,weneed toaskGod forwisdomandthengoalongsidethatpersontobringtheminlinewithGod’steaching.MayGod grant us grace to stay strong in our faith and to help otherswhen they are

weak.

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JULY22Galatians2:20

N HIS ATTEMPT TO CORRECT PETER’S HYPOCRISY (2:13), PAUL MAKES AN ASTOUNDINGSTATEMENT;THATHEHADBEENCRUCIFIEDWITHCHRIST.

Obviouslythat’snottobetakenliterally;hewasstillalive!Therewasnoneedforhimtodie,becauseJesushadalreadymadethatsacrificeforhim(andforus!).IthinkPaulispaintingforusavividpictureofwhatourlivesshouldbelike.Weareto

dietoselfandliveforChrist.Weallknowthis.Puttingit intopractice,makingitreal inourlives,well,that’sanothermatterentirely!Dying to selfmeans putting asidemy own agenda and followingGod’s. Itmeans not

beingconcernedaboutwhatotherpeoplethink,butwantingonlytopleasehim.Itmeansletting theSpirit ofChrist live inus and throughus everymomentof everyday.This iswayeasiersaidthandone!I once heard aChristian teacherwho said thatmanyAmerican believers are “practical

atheists;” that although we profess to follow Christ, we live as if God does not exist.CertainlyweprayandreadtheBibleandgotochurch,butifwearetobetruefollowers,wearetobe“crucifiedwithChrist.”Wearetolivenotforourownselvesbutforhim.Thisseems impossible forus!ButPaulshareswithushissecret:“The life I live in the

body,IlivebyfaithintheSonofGod.”Wecan’tdoitonourown,nomatterhowmuchwillpowerwehave or howgreat our intentions.We cando it only by faith in Jesus andwithhisdivineassistance.Mayhehelpusstrivetodothateveryday!

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AULHOLDSNOTHING BACKHERE. “YOU FOOLISH GALATIANS!”WHILEHE LOVES THESEPEOPLE,HEISDEEPLYCONCERNEDFORTHEIRSPIRITUALWELL-BEING.

Whatcouldmakehimcallthemoutlikethis?Theyseemtohaveforgottenthey’vebeensavedbythegraceofGodaloneandhavesuccumbedtothepressureoflivingbythelaw.WetendtoscoffattheseGalatianbelievers.Howcouldtheydosuchathing?!They’ve

experienced mercy and grace, yet they have chained themselves to the impossibility ofkeepingthelaw!Iwonderifwedon’tdosomethingsimilar.There are some groups whom we consider to be very legalistic: don’t wear certain

clothes,lookacertainway,docertainthings,don’tdocertainthings,butIfindthatItendto have some of these same attitudes, even though I’d never admit it to you! Perhapssubconsciously we might think, “If I miss church, I won’t receive God’s blessings.” Or“MaybethereasonI’mstrugglingrightnowisbecauseIdidn’ttithelastmonth.”WhileitisoftheutmostimportancetojoinwithotherbelieversinBiblestudyandworshipandtogivetothechurch,wedonotdoitbecausewewanttoearnGod’sfavor.There’snothingwecandotomakeGodloveus lessandthere’snothingwecandoto

makehimloveusmore.Allheasksofusistolovehim,havefaithinhim,andobeyhim.PaulpointsoutthatAbrahamwasmaderightwithGod,becausehebelievedGod.Maywebelievehimandwalkwithhim,asAbrahamdid.

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JULY24Galatians3:26-4:7

EHAVEAFLOCKOFCHICKENS.WHILEWEAPPRECIATETHEFRESHEGGS,WEALSOENJOYWATCHINGTHECHICKENSINTHEYARD.

I see there, firsthand, the idea of a “pecking order.” Surprisingly, it is our smallestbantamroosterwhoisthe“alphamale”oftheflock.In the church, however, there is to be no pecking order. No one person or group is

superior to the others. Christ is the great equalizer. The 21st century is not all thatdifferent from the first.We stillmake judgments of other people based on race, gender,socioeconomicstatus,andsoon.PaulsaysthereisnoJeworGreek,slaveorfree,maleorfemale(3:28).Soitstandstoreasonthatthereisnoblackorwhite,AsianorAmerican,orrichorpoorinthechurchtoday.WeareallchildrenofGodthroughfaithinJesus.Howdowelivethisout,though?Weknowthisintellectually,butit’ssometimeshardto

put intopractice.Whatwould it look like? I think firstwewouldeachrecognize thatweareallformerslaveswhohavebeenadoptedbyGodintohisfamily.Thenwewouldhaveagreater appreciation for what he has done for us.Wewould see that we are all equallyblessedtohavebeensavedsograciously.Wewouldunderstandthateachofuscamefromthesameplace,but thatweareallnowbrothersandsisters.Canyou imaginewhat thatwouldsaytotheworld?Maywe seek to emulate Jesus bywelcoming and accepting everyone, especially those

withinhischurch.

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SIREADTHESEVERSES,THEREARETWOTHINGS INPARTICULARTHATSTICKOUTTOME.THEFIRSTISINVERSE15:“WHATHASHAPPENEDTOALLYOURJOY?”HOWSADISTHAT?

YET,ITSEEMSTHATMANYOFUSTODAYHAVELOSTOURJOY,OURSENSEOFBEINGBLESSED.WhenweretheseGalatiansjoyful?ItseemsthatwhenPaulwaswiththemduringoneof

hisjourneys,hewasafflictedinsomephysicalway.Sometheorizehehadbeenbeatenandleft for dead or perhaps he had been afflicted with malaria or some other malady.Whatever the condition was, he was in bad shape. The people there took him in andministered tohim.They didnot treat him scornfully, but carefully tended tohim.Theirservicebrought them joy!Perhaps this isoneof thesecretsof finding joy; tobeservingGodbyservingothers.AsIlookatthefacesofpeopleeachday,Idon’toftenseejoy.Therearealotoffatigued

faces, fullofworryordistraction.Sadly,someof theseare the facesof finechurch-goingfolks!Weshouldexperiencejoy,evenwhen(orperhapsespeciallywhen),wefeelwearyorconcernedorbusy.Our society seems to force us to be busy, butwe should examine our busyness to be

sure we are about our Father’s business. If we are busy serving him, then we willexperiencejoy.AsNehemiahsaid,“ThejoyoftheLordisyourstrength”(Nehemiah8:10).Byservinghim,throughservingothers,wecanexperienceandexhibithisjoy.

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JULY26Galatians4:21-5:15

REEDOM! I CAN ALMOST HEAR PAUL SHOUTING THIS WORD (LIKE MEL GIBSON IN"BRAVEHEART").

Weare free from the law,he remindshis readershere.He illustrates thisbyusing thetwo sons of Abraham: one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. As the slavewomanandhersonweretobecastoff(Genesis21:10),sothosewhoareinChristaretonolongerbeenslaved.Paulasks,“Whywouldyouwanttogobacktobeingslaves?!”SomeGentile believers inGalatiawere in danger of succumbing to the pressure from

others to submit to the practice of circumcision.While Paul says that this act in and ofitselfisnotimportant(5:6),theheartofthematteristhattheywouldnolongerberelyingonGod’s grace to save them (5:4).Theonly thing that counts is faithworking throughlove,heremindsthem.Paul says they had started out their Christian walk strongly, comparing it to a race.

Along the way, though, someone had cut them off and diverted them along a differentcourse. He encourages them to get back on track and live the life of freedom they hadonceexperienced.Sohowdoesthisrelatetous?Circumcisionasareligiouspracticemeansnothingtous,

but there are probably other issues that cause us to wander off course. It is usually asubtlething;onewemaynotevenbeawareof.Paulcomparesittothewayalittleyeastworks through the dough. It takes time. A relationship, our work, our recreationalactivities,orevenourfamiliesmaydivertourwalk.Again,there’snothingwrongwithanyofthese,unlesstheykeepusfromwhat’strulyimportant.WeneedtoliveinthefreedomwehaveinChrist,makingsurethatfreedomleadsusto

expressingourfaithinlove.

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HEREWASSOMESERIOUSFEUDINGGOINGONAMONGTHEBELIEVERSINGALATIA.In verse 15Paul says that they had been “biting and devouring each other.” The

primarypointofcontentionwastheideathatGentilebelievershadtobecircumcised,butthere were undoubtedly other issues as well. How could they possibly heal this greatdivision?Paulsays,bylivingbytheSpirit.WalkingbytheSpiritofGodkeepsusfromgivingintotheworldly,sinfuldesiresweall

have:thedesiretohavemore,tobeselfish,tobeprideful,andsoon.OursinfulnatureisincompleteoppositiontothenatureofGod,sotherewillalwaysbeconflict.The Greek word used for the Spirit of God is “pneuma” which can mean breath, air,

wind, or spirit.Whenwe accept Jesus asourSavior,we are filledwithGod’s “pneuma.”ThistellsmethatweneedhisSpiritjustasdesperatelyasourbodiesneedoxygen.IfindIam a spiritual asthmaticmost of the time, trying to get by onmy own power. A bodydeprived of oxygen does not function verywell. If I amnot living by the Spirit ofGod,thenIammorelikelytogiveintothedesiresofmysinfulnature.WhenweasthebodyofChristaren’twalkingwiththeSpiritfillingus,wearegoingto

be“bitinganddevouringeachother!”Whatkindofmessagedoesthatsendtotheworldthat we are trying to reach for Christ? Let us consciously strive to breathe in God’spreciousHolySpiriteachdayandwalkwithhimalways.

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N THESE VERSES, PAULMAKES A CHART COMPARING THE CHARACTERISTICSOF THE SINFULNATUREWEALLHAVEANDTHENATUREOFTHESPIRITOFGODTHATWESHOULDASPIRETO

HAVE.The lists areverydifferent!Whowouldwantanypartof the firstone?Hatred?Fitsof

rage?Dissensions?Thesecondlistismuchmoreappealing:love,joy,peace,patience,andsoon.Exhibiting these good qualities is not always easy, though. To make it even more

difficult,wedon’thave theoptionof choosingwhichoneswewant to show.This is the“fruit” of the Spirit, not the fruits. It’s a package deal.We should have love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control leaking out of usallthetime!Sohowdowe?Paulremindsus,thatifwebelongtoJesus,oursinfulnatureshavebeencrucified.They

should have no power over us – unless we let them. The key is living by the Spirit,allowinghimtowork inusandthroughus.Weneedtokeep instepwithhimaswegothrougheachday.Soundsgood,andweknowallthis,buthowdowedoit?Itisaconsciousdecisionwe

make.Whenwewakeup,ourfirstthoughtsshouldincludeaskingGodtofilluswithhisSpirit.Throughouttheday,weneedtoremindourselvesthatwearetolivebytheSpirit.Wemustaskhimtorefillusandhelpustoreflecthimtotheworldaroundus.MayGodfillourheartswithhisSpiritsowecanproducehisfruit.

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TENDTOAVOIDCONFRONTATION.IDON'TLIKEIT,BUTTHEREARETIMESWHENITISNECESSARYTOCONFRONTSOMEONE.ONEOFTHOSETIMESISWHENTHEYOROTHERSAREBEINGHURTBY

THEIRACTIONS.THISISTRUEINSPIRITUALAREASASWELLASINWORLDLYMATTERS.Paul gives us some directions here for dealing with such situations. When we see a

fellowbeliever,who is goingdownawrongpath andbringingdishonor to thenameofJesus,itistheresponsibilityofmatureChristianstogently,lovinglyrestorehim.ThroughoutScripture,weare told tohelpeachother, toencourageeachother, and to

liftupeachother.Sadly,weoftendotheopposite.Perhapswefeelbetteraboutourselveswhenothersaretrippedup.Itgivesusareasonto"boast"inourselves(6:4)whenwearecompared to another's downfall. But that's certainly not like Jesus. I've seen written,somethingtotheeffectofthatthe"armyofGod"istheonlyarmythatshootsitsinjured.We,aboveallothers,shouldbethefirsttohelpsomeonewhohasfallen.We need to have the heart of Christ to help carry the burdens of our brothers and

sisters.Weneedhisgentlenessandhishumility.Wearecertainlyresponsibleforourownselves,butwealsohavearesponsibilitytohelpeachother.Let us be loving servants of Christ who seek to help those who have wandered, who

encourageotherswhoareweak,andwhohelpcarrytheburdensoffellowbelievers.

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EVERALYEARSAGO,IRANMYFIRSTMARATHON.ICANTELLYOUTHATITWASN'TEASY,BUTIWASDETERMINEDTOCOMPLETEIT!IPUTINALOTOFMILESDURINGALOTOFLONG,SLOW

RUNS,BUTIKEPTTHEGOALINMIND;TOFINISHA26.2-MILERACE.TheChristianlifeisamarathonrace,sowemustnotgettired.Weareinitforthelong

haul.It'snotasprintracethatlastsaveryshorttime,butratheralongdistanceonethatgoesforyears.Itcanbealltooeasytoquitandthrowinthetowelwhenitgetshard.ServingChrist canbe tough.People canbemeansometimes.Situationscanbemessy.

Doingwhat isgoodandright isnotalwaysrewardedthewaywethinkitshouldbe,butwekeep running "the racemarkedout forus" (Hebrews12:1).Wekeepour eyeson theprize.Therearemanydistractionsalongourracecourse.Itwouldbesoeasytostopandresta

whileortofindsomethingelsetodoinstead,butwekeeponworking.Pauluses theagricultural imageryhereof sowingandreaping.As in running, farming

takes a long time. Itmay seemas if the seedsweplantwill never sprout, let alonebearfruit,butwearecalledtobefaithful.Wekeepplantingtheseeds.Wekeepdoingwhatisright. We keep sharing our faith. We keep loving others, even when it's hard. We arepromisedthatwewillreapaharvestofblessing,ifwedon'tquit.Letusrunourracewell.

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ULLDISCLOSUREHERE:IFEELIMAYHAVEBEENABITBOASTFULWHENMENTIONINGHAVINGRUNAMARATHON.(IACTUALLYDIDTWO!OOPS!THEREIGOAGAIN!)

I don't think I'm theonlyonewith aboastingproblem. In fact, socialmedia seems tohave exacerbated this tendency inmany of us.We use it to boast about our travels orexperiences,aboutourchildren,abouttheamazingmealsweprepareoreatout!Paulhadmanyreasonstoboast(seePhilippians3:4-6).Addtothosecredentialsallthe

churcheshehadplantedandthemanypeoplehehadwontotheLord,buthewritesthatheneverboastsaboutanythingexceptforthecrossofJesus.Howcanherejoiceorboastinaninstrumentofdeath?!Heboastsinthecross,becausethat'swhatmakesusa"newcreation"(6:15).Heboasts

thatthroughit,theworldhasbeencrucifiedtohimandhetoit.Heisnolongerboundtotheworld'ssystem.Itnolongerhasswayoverhislife.Whatafreeingconcept!Thisistrueforeachofusaswell.IfwehaveacceptedJesusastheSaviorandLordofour

lives, we are also new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).We can experience the peace andmercyofGod(6:16).Canyouthinkofanythingbettertoboastaboutthanthat?!Insteadofbraggingaboutwhatwedoorwherewegoorwhatweeat,perhapsweneed

tobragmoreonJesus.Wecanboastaboutwhathehasdoneforus,andexperiencethegrace,peaceandmercyhelongstopourintoourlives.MayweboastinChristalone.

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AUGUST1Ephesians1:4-7

OYOUREMEMBERBEINGINPECLASSANDHAVINGTWOPEOPLECHOOSETEAMSFORTHATDAY’SGAMES?

Noonewantedtobethelastonechosen.Noonewantedtobeleftstandingtherewhileeveryoneelsewasonateam.TheBibleteachesusthat,inChrist,wearechosenbyGodtobeoneofhispeople.We

don’t understand how God’s sovereign choice works (and it definitely doesn’t comewithout the personal responsibility we see in Ephesians 2:10), but in his wisdom andforeknowledge,hehaschosenustobehis.Thisbegsthequestion:Whathashechosenusfor?WhatdoesitlookliketobeoneofGod’speople?First,weareholyandblameless.Weshouldbedifferentfromtheworldaroundus.Sin

cannot reign in our bodies as Christians. Instead, there ought to be a purity andfaultlessnessaboutus.Thisispartofourcalling.Second,weareadopted.God, inhisgraceandmercytowardus,hastakenusinashis

children,whenwewereutterlyhopelessonourown.WewerelostandGodsavedus.Hebrought us into his family through the saving power of Jesus’ blood. This results ingloriouspraisetohim.Third,weareforgiven.Jesushasredeemedus.Colossianssaysthat“hehasdeliveredus

from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, inwhomwe have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (1:13-14). Our biggest need is notfood orwater or shelter.Our biggest need is to have our broken relationshipwithGodrepairedandsetright.As a dearly loved and chosen child of God, praise him and thank him today for your

wonderfulpositioninChrist.

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AUGUST2Ephesians1:13

HENWEAREMAKINGALARGEPURCHASE,WEWILLUSUALLYMAKEADOWNPAYMENTORHAVE SOMEONE CO-SIGNWITH US TO GUARANTEE THATWE ARE PREPARING TO TAKE

OWNERSHIP.Guaranteeingthepurchaseinthiswayshowsthatyouarecommittedtothetransaction

andthatyouaretakingresponsibilitytobethenewowner.DidyouknowGodmadeadownpaymentonuswhenheredeemedusinChrist?God

placeda“’signature”onus,guaranteeingthatweareforeverhis.ThatguaranteeisinthepersonoftheHolySpiritwholivesinsideus.God put his mark on us when we believed, and sealed us with the Holy Spirit. This

wonderfulactshowsusthatGodiscommittedtousashischildrenandthatwearesecureinChrist.TheBibletellsusthatifGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus(Romans8)?Wearehis!Therefore,wecanrestsecureandknowthatoursalvationissafeinChrist.This security is both for this life and the life to come. Eternal life begins now and

continuesforever.Therewillbeadaywhentheworriesandstrugglesofthislifewillbenomore.We will see him face to face and know him fully, even as we are fully known (1Corinthians13).Therefore,weshouldrememberandrejoice in the fact thatGodhasplacedhissealon

us. The Holy Spirit will not leave us.We are secure in him and in our salvation. Thisliberates us to live our lives in unhindered devotion to him. I am safe, no matter thecircumstanceorsituation.IcanconfidentlyfollowJesus,knowingthathisSpiritisinme,andIamsecureinhim.

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PRAYFORMYKIDSEVERYDAY.ITISONEOFMYDEEPESTDESIRESTHATTHEYKNOWTHELORDANDTHATTHEYFOLLOWAFTERHIM.Weallhavepeopleweareburdenedforandwewrestleforinprayer.Theseareusually

peoplewhoareveryclosetous.PaulwasburdenedforthenewChristiansinthechurcheshe planted. His prayers were powerful andwithout ceasing. His prayers give us insightintothethingsthatGoddesiresforhispeople.First, Paul prays that the Ephesian will have a spirit of wisdom and revelation. This

means that theHoly Spiritwouldwork in their hearts andminds to give them insightsintoGod’sWord.HedesiresthattheyknowandlovetheirLordmoreeachday.Second,Paulpraysthattheywouldhavetheeyesoftheirheartsenlightenedsothatthey

wouldbetterknowandunderstandthehopeandtherichesthataretheirsinChrist.Jesusdefeated sin and death, and in doing so, he became King of kings and Lord of lords(Revelation19).HewantedtheEphesianstoknowthattheyshareinthisvictoryandtheinheritancethatgoeswithit.Third, Paul prays that the church in Ephesus would know the great power of God at

workinuswhobelieve.ThatpoweriswhatgaveJesusthevictoryspokenofabove.Thatpower iswhat continues to give us the ability to live our lives for Jesus every day. Thatpoweriswhatfillsusupandimpartstousgiftsofthespirittoloveothersandministerinthisworldtohisglory.AreyouprayingthesethingsforthosetheLordhasputonyourheart?Areyoupraying

themforyourself?

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LIKETHEMOVIE"TOMBSTONE."ITTELLSTHESTORYOFWYATTEARPANDHISBROTHERSANDWHATHAPPENEDASARESULTOFTHESHOOTOUTATTHEOKCORRAL.Withoutspoilingthemovie,Icantellyouthis:Wyattandhisgangshotandkilledalot

ofbadguys.Notoneofthosebadguysgotupandrodeawayonahorseaftertheyweredead.Whenyouaredead,youaredone.TheBibleteachesthatweweredeadinourtrespassesandsins.Thismeansthatbecause

ofthefall(Genesis3)weareborninsin,separatedfromGod,anddoomedtojudgment.Wearenotonlyborninsin,butweareslavestosin.OurpassionsanddesirestemptusandleadusawayfromGodandintoself-focused,destructivedisobedience.Likethosebadguysinthemovie,wearedone.However,thisisnottheendofthestory.Godismerciful.Godisgracious.Godlovesus

toomuchtoleaveusinsin.Hewantstosaveus,andhehasmadeawayforustobemadealive!Romans5and6clearlyteachthatwhileweweresinners(i.e.deadinsin)Christdiedfor

us.Hediedthedeathwedeserved.John3:16saysthesamething.BecauseofChrist,wedonotliveasdeadmen.Instead,weliveaspeoplewhohavebeensetfree.Wehavemovedfromdeathtolife.Wearenolongerslavestosin,insteadweareslaves

toChrist.Wearenolongerchildrenofwrath,insteadwearechildrenofGod.AsyoulivetheChristianlife,rejoiceinthesethings,andneverbetemptedtoforgetthatbygraceyouhavebeensaved.

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HEFIDGETSPINNERAMAZESME. IT ISANEXTREMELYSIMPLEMACHINEMADEOFASMALLAMOUNTOFMETALOR PLASTICWITH A BALL BEARING THAT ALLOWS IT TO BE ROTATED

BETWEENYOURFINGERS.Whatamazesmeisnotthemachineitself,butthepurposebehindthemachine.Itwas

createdtohelpchildren(andadults)focusthroughtheirattentiondeficienciesornervousenergy.Suchasimplething,createdwithsuchasignificantpurpose.God’screationisthesameway.Itispurposeful.Asthepinnacleofhiscreation,wewere

createdwithutmost loveandcare, andweweregivenapurpose.What is thatpurpose?Ephesians2:8-10helpsusunderstandthatpurpose.First,wewerecreatedtobeinarightandlovingrelationshipwithGod.Theworkthat

JesusdidonthecrossbroughtusbacktotheplacethatGodhadalwaysplannedforustobe.TheBiblesaysthatthegreatestcommandisto lovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,soul,mindandstrength.Weweremadeforthis,andbyGod’sgrace,wearesavedandabletoliveourliveslovingtheOnewhocreatedus.Second,wewerecreatedtodogoodworksthatglorifyGod.Asimagebearersoftheone

true God, and as new creations in Christ, we are his workmanship, created for goodworks.Notonlythat,Godhasalreadypreparedthesegoodworksforustowalkin.Theyarereadyandwaitingforustogoanddo.Someof theseworks are external and active:Does your neighborneedhelp?Gohelp

him. Some of these works are more internal: Am I being tempted to sin? Don’t do it!Instead,godothegoodworkthatGodhasprepared.

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EACE IS SOMETHING WE ALL DESIRE. IN STUDIES, PSYCHOLOGISTS FIND THAT PEACE ISUSUALLYATOPWISHTHATPEOPLEHAVE.

Peaceisnoteasytocomeby.Ifyouwatchthenews,youwillseemorestrifeandconflictthanyouseepeace.Howdoweobtainpeace?Wheredoesitcomefrom?TheBibleteachesusthatwehaveaproblem.Thewholeworldactuallyhasaproblem.

Afterthefallofman,selfishnessandsinreignedintheworld.Wheretherewassupposedto be love and peace, we see conflict and strife. It is as if there is a wall that has beenerectedthatkeepsusfromachievingwhatwedeeplydesireandneed–loveandpeace.EphesianstellsusthatJesushastorndownthedividingwallofhostilityandthathehas

reconciled us as one to the Father. Through the cross, Jesus has defeated conflict andstrife.Now,wecanhavebothpeacewithGod(Romans5)andpeacewithourfellowman(Ephesians2).Wedonotneedtoliveatoddswithpeople.WecanbebrothersandsistersinChrist.Whenwe consider the effects of thiswork Jesus has done to bring people together, a

coupleoftruthscometolight.One,wearenobetter,ornoworse,thananyoneelse.Weare all in need of God’s gracious work in our lives. Two, God wants all peoples to besaved. In Revelation 5 and 7 we see a beautiful picture of a great multitude from allnations,tribes,andlanguagesgatheredaroundthethroneworshippingGod.Therewill be a daywhen all conflict is gone.And therewill be gathered together the

mostdiversegroupyou’veeverseen.AndwewillallbesingingpraisetotheOnewhohassavedus.

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IGHTS,CAMERA,ACTION!I’VENEVERBEENONAMOVIESET,BUTIUNDERSTANDSOMETHINGLIKETHISISSAIDBEFORETHECAMERASTARTSROLLING.

Oncetheplanninghasbeencompleted,andthepeopleareinplace,filmingbeginsandthestoryistold.Godhasaplanfortheworld.Thereisastorythatheistelling,andhedesiresforthat

storytounfoldandbetold,sothattheworldwillknowthatJesusisLord.Muchliketheprocessof“lights,camera,action”Godhasawayofworkingtocallpeopletoactioninhisgreat plan. Paul’s description of himself and his ministry, in Ephesians 3, helps usunderstandthatprocess.Our part inGod’s story beginswith grace andhumility. Throughno goodness of our

own,Godsavesusandmakesusanewcreation.Paulhadpreviouslybeenamurdererandpersecutorofthechurch.Asaresult,Paulhadadeephumilityandgreatunderstandingofthegracethathadbeenshowntohim.God’sgraciousworkinourlivesissimilar.AfterGod’sgracehaditshumblingandsavingeffectonPaul,herealizedthatGodwas

callinghimtobeonmissionintheworld.PaulsaysthathewascalledtopreachthegoodnewstotheGentiles.Godhadplannedallalongthat JewsandGentilesbothwouldhearthe gospel and believe. God’s sovereign foreknowledge looked down through time andhistory, and he saw a multitude from every nation and tribe who would worship himforever.HaveyoubeenhumbledbythegraceofGodinyourlives?Haveyouacceptedyourpart

in his plan to share Christ with those who do not yet know? God is working out hiseternalpurposes,andheiscallingyoutoaction.

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TRYTOEXERCISEREGULARLY.IDOTHISBECAUSEIHOPETOBEINFAIRLYDECENTSHAPEASMYKIDSGETOLDERANDEVENASGRANDKIDSCOMEALONG.THEREARENOHOPESOFATHLETIC

COMPETITIONSORFEATSOFSUPERSTRENGTH.Paulsays,inEphesians3,thatheisprayingforstrength.However,he’snotprayingfor

the kind of strength that comes from weight training. He’s referring to the kind ofstrengththatcomesfrombeingrootedandgroundedinlove.One of the characteristics of this strength and power is that it comes from the Holy

Spirit.Itisunendingandunshakeable,becauseitssourceisunendingandunshakeable.Itrootsusandgrounds.Itislikeafirmfoundationthatisbuiltonarock.Windandwaveswillnotmoveit.WeareeternallysecureinthestrengthandloveofChrist.Another characteristic is that it isobtained through faith.Goddoesn’t give this to the

smartest,ortherichest,orthecutest,orthepoorest.GodgiveshisstrengthandlovetothosewhohumblyacceptJesusbyfaith.Finally, this strength ismeant to grow us in the knowledge of Christ, so thatwewill

havepower tocomprehend thegreatnessofGodandhis love forus. It isnotmeant foroutwarddisplaysofathleticgreatness.ItismeanttodrawuscloserandclosertoJesus,sothatwemightfollowhimandglorifyhiminallthatwedo.Areyoupraying forGod’s strength to rootyouandgroundyou in the loveofChrist?

Areyouprayingthissamethingforothers?Goddesiresthatwebestronginhimandinthepowerofhismight(Ephesians6).

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OU’VEHEARDTHEOLDSAYING,“IF ITLOOKSLIKEADUCKANDSWIMSLIKEADUCKANDQUACKSLIKEADUCK,THENITPROBABLYISADUCK.”

This is a cute way of saying that things can be identified by observing certaincharacteristics.What characteristics do you display?AsChristians,God has called us toliveinacertainmanner.The first thingweseeaboutthemannerof lifeGodhascalledusto is that it isSpirit-

filled. The character that Paul describes is very much like that in Galatians 5 when hedescribes the fruit of the Spirit.When a person believes in Jesus, he is sealed with theHoly Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). As the Holy Spirit lives in and continues to sanctify thisperson, he begins to walk in the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 2teachesusthatJesuslivedwithhumility.Wearecalledtothesesamethings;theyoughttobedisplayedintheeverydaylivesofChristians.ThesecondthingweseeaboutthemanneroflifeGodhascalledustoisthatitisalife

ofpeaceandunitywithothers.Divisionandhateareeasy.Wearenaturallyselfishpeople.Wewantwhatwewant,whenwewantit,andwedon’tcarethatmuchabouthowitaffectsothers.ButamongFather,Son,andHolySpirit, there isunityand love. IfChristiansaretrulywalking in theSpirit, therewill alsobeunity and love in the church.Wewill havemutuallyloving,peacefulrelationshipswithoneanother,andthewatchingworldwillseethisandknowthatwearedifferent.AreyouwalkinginamannerthatisworthyofthecallingGodhasgiventohispeople?

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URMIDDLE CHILD CHANGED CLOTHES A LOTWHEN HEWAS YOUNGER. HEWOULD GOTHROUGH FOUR OR FIVE OUTFITS IN A DAY. THIS WAS HORRIBLE FOR OUR LAUNDRY

SITUATION,BUTITISAGOODILLUSTRATIONOFTHECHRISTIANLIFE.Whenwebelieve in Jesus,wearebornagain toanew life (John3:3).Theold lifehas

passedaway,andthenewlifehascome(2Corinthians5:17).Inordertoputonthenewself,wemustfirsttakeofftheoldself.AsChristians,weare

people who have been saved and redeemed, however, we still struggle with sin andtemptation.Wearecalledtocontinuallyworkatleavingthatlifebehind.LayingasidethesinswhichentangleusisanactiveandconstantpartoftheChristianlife(Hebrews12:1).Wearealsocalled to renewourminds.Godwants tochangeour thinking, so thatwe

willactdifferently.TheBibleteachesuswhatistrueandright,andaswemeditateonit,ourheartsandmindsaretransformed.OurwillisbenttowardGod,andwehaveabetterunderstandingofwhoheis,andhowhedesiresforustolive(Psalm119).Finally, Paul tells us to put on the new self. Having taken off the old self and been

renewed inour thinking,weare ready to live theChristian life. Insteadofhate,wehavelove.Insteadoftalkingaboutthingsthatdegrade,wetalkaboutthingsthatbuildup.Areyouactivelyworkingto“takeoff”theoldselfand“puton”thenewselfinyourdaily

life?DoyouhaveadailytimeofBiblereadingandmeditation?AreyouprayingforGodtohelpyoulivethenewlifeyouhaveinChrist?

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SAKID,MYFRIENDSANDIWOULDTRYTOIMITATEOURFAVORITEATHLETES,ANDASYOUCANIMAGINE,WEFELLWOEFULLYSHORTINOURATTEMPTSANDDREAMS.

Itwas impossible fora five foot tallkid todunk like Jordan,or run likeBo Jackson. Itwouldbeeasy to lookat theChristian lifeandsay,“That’s impossible.There’snoway IcanlivealifethattellsmetoimitateJesus!”While theChristian life is demanding (take up your cross daily), it is not impossible.

GodhasgivenushisSpiritandhisWord.Hehaspromisedthatthegoodworkhebeganin us, hewill also bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).What does it look like for aChristiantobe“complete”inChrist,abletoliveasanimitatorofGod?Thatword“completion”inPhilippians1comesfromthesameword(telos)inMatthew

5:48, where Jesus tells his disciples to be “perfect” as the heavenly Father is perfect.Sinlessnessisnotbeingprescribedhere.Instead,theteachingofJesussaysthatwemuststriveforperfectionandmaturityinourfaith.PaulwasdriventoteachanddiscipleotherssothattheywouldbematureinChrist(Colossians1:28).This teaching does not deny thatwe are saved by faith. Instead, it takes seriously the

words of Jesus and other New Testament writers who call God’s people to holiness (1Peter1:15).TheteachingofJesusisastumblingblocktothemanwhodesireseasystreetChristianity.We are called to live like Jesus lived, andwe are promised that in the end,Godwillbringus tomaturity inour faith.Let thisencourageyou tocontinue takingupyourcrossdailytofollowJesusandlivelikehim.

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ARRIAGE ISAMYSTERY. I’MNOTMERELY TALKINGABOUT THE “MENARE FROMMARS,WOMENAREFROMVENUS”MYSTERY.

It is certainly true thatmen andwomen are different and that there are timeswhen itseems almost impossible to mutually understand one another. The true mystery (andbeauty) of marriage is found in the relationship of husband and wife, and how thatrelationshipreflectstherelationshipbetweenJesusandhisbride(thechurch).In thebeginning,Godcreatedmanandwoman.Thisrelationshipwascreatedtoshow

ustheloveofGodtowardhispeople,andhowhewouldhumblycometoserveandsavethem.Whenawifesubmitstoherhusband,sheissimplydoingwhatJesusdid.Hesubmitted

tothewilloftheFatherandhumblysetasidehisgloryforatime.Hewasstillequalwiththe Father, as a member of the Godhead, but he knew that in order to accomplish theeternalplanofGodhewouldneedtosubmitandtaketherolegiventotheSon.Whenahusbandloveshiswife,heisalsodoingwhatJesusdid.Thegreatestactoflove

inthehistoryofmankindtookplaceatthecrosswhenJesusdiedforthesinsoftheworld.Hewillingly laiddownhis life forothers.Hedidnotseekhisowngoodorgloryat thatmoment.Instead,hesoughttoservethosehecametosave.Ifyouaremarried,doyourealizethatyourmarriageisintendedtoshowthebeautyof

God and how he relates to his people?Aswe grow in our understanding of how Jesushumblyandlovingcametoserveandsavehispeople,wearebetterabletoembraceourrolesashusbandsandwives.

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HEREAREMANYGREATTHINGSTHATPEOPLEHAVEDONETHROUGHOUTHUMANHISTORY.Thatateamofpeoplecouldgetmentothemoonisanamazingaccomplishment.

Thedailyserviceandsacrificeoffirstresponders,lawenforcementandmilitarypersonnel,also point us toward professions that are honorable and important. However, I do notbelieve there is a more honorable or important responsibility that can be given tosomeonethanthatofdad.More than anyone else, dads have the ability tomake or break a family. Steady, godly

leadershipcanmovechildrentowardasimilarlysteady,godlylife.NoticethepromisethatgoeswithProverbs22:6,“Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo,evenwhenheisoldhewillnotdepartfromit.”Wecanhaveeternalimpactforgoodinthelivesofourchildren.No doubt, moms have an invaluable place in the lives of children. Pastors, teachers,

aunts and uncles are all important. But dad is the one who is given the command to“bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Consider the questionsbelow,asyoumeditateonandpraythroughtoday’sScripturereading:AreyougrowinginyourownrelationshipwithGod?Doyouhaveasettimeeachdayto

prayandreadGod’sword?Youwillteachyourkidsoutoftheoverflowofyourownlife.AreyouteachingtheBibletoyourkids?WeneedtoteachourkidsthetruthoftheBible

andhelpthemunderstandtheblessingsofobedienceandthepitfallsofdisobedience.IfyouarestrugglingtofindtimeforfamilyBiblestudyandworship,why?Whatismore

important than training up a child in theway he should go, and then seeing himwalkfaithfullywiththeLord?

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’VE NEVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY, AND I’VE NEVER BEEN IN A MILITARY CONFLICT.HOWEVER,MYGRANDDAD SERVED INWORLDWAR II,AND IHAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE

EFFECTSOFWAR.It is traumatic and canwreak havoc on a person formany years to come.While, I’ve

neverbeeninamilitaryconflict,Ihavebeeninawar.Actually,allofushave.Weareinaspiritual battle that is raging aroundus for souls.Howdowe stand firm in this battle?Howdowewin?Thefirstthingtounderstandinthisbattleisthatitisnotagainstfleshandblood.Your

enemy is the devil. He hates you and wants you to walk away from God and from thetruth.We see this in the garden with Adam and Eve. He would not stop until he hadruinedtheirrelationshipwithGod.ThegoodnewsisthatGodhasprovidedallweneedtostandandbevictoriousinthis

battle.Jesushasdefeatedsinanddeath.HehascanceledthelegaldebtthatkeptyoufromGod, and he has disarmed the spiritual forces that would keep you captive to sin(Colossians2:14-15).Whenwe clotheourselves inhis truth,we arekept safe.Whenweexercise faith in the battle, and when we hide God’s word in our hearts, we are givenprotectionandpowertolivetheChristianlifecourageously.WhenweprayandjoinGod’smissiontotakethegospeltotheendsoftheearth,weengageinavictorymarchthatwillnotenduntilallnationsarerepresentedinheavenworshippingtheKingofkings.Are you fighting the good fight? Are you standing firm in the gospel, with the all-

powerfulhelpofJesus?

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ECANPIEISONEOFTHETHINGSILOOKMOSTFORWARDTOHAVINGATTHANKSGIVING.Actually,Istruggletocontrolmyselfwhenthereispecanpieonthetable.Itisnot

easytobedisciplined.Ourfleshwantstodowhatitwantstodo.Prayer is a discipline and a practice. It is something we must be intentional about.

Praying is something most Christians say they should do more often. Ephesians 6admonishesustopray,andgivesusanumberofreasonswhyprayershouldtakepriorityintheChristianslife.

Prayerisoneofthedefenseswehaveinthespiritualbattle.PrayerhelpsuscommunewithGod.Prayerhelpsothersinthebattle(notjustourselves).PrayerhelpsmovethegospelforwardinthemissionofGod.Prayergivesusboldnessandcourageinthebattle.

This passage also tells us to “pray at all times” and to “keep alert in all perseverance.”Prayer is something to take serious and to do continually. It is not enough to just praybeforemealsandatbedtime. It isnotenoughtoprayandthankGodforall thestuffhegivesus.Ourprayersneedtocomewithconsistencyandurgency.TheBibletellsusthatlives are at stake in this spiritualbattle.Realpeopledie andgo toa realhellwhen theydon’thearthegospelandbelieveinJesus.Ontheotherhand,wehaveanopportunitytoseepeoplesavedoutofthisbattle.RealpeoplecanhavearealrelationshipwiththeonetrueGod,andtheycanspendeternitywithhim.Let’s commit to real prayer that engages the spiritual battle andmakes a difference in

theeternaldestinyofrealpeoplethatyouseeeveryday.

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AUGUST16Philippians1:3-11

HEBOOKOFPHILIPPIANSWASWRITTENBYTHEAPOSTLEPAUL.HEWROTETHELETTERTOTHECHURCHINPHILIPPI,SPECIFICALLYABOUTPRACTICALWAYSTHEYCOULDLIVEOUTTHE

CHRISTIANFAITHINTHEIRWORLD.Paul had a desire to encourage them to continue walking daily in faith and live as

citizens of heaven. In today’s verses, Paul prayed a very specific prayer of thanks,encouragement,andchallenge for thePhilippians, to liveout the loveGodhadfor themdaily.Today,IwouldliketoofferasimilarprayerforWestVirginia.God,wethankyouforthemajesticmountains, flowingrivers, fertilevalleys,andthepeopleofWest

Virginia.God,wethankyouforthemanywhoarehardworking,loyal,courageous,honest,andfaithful.God,would yougrant yourpeoplewisdom, strength, courage, and love thisday,wisdom for themanychoicestobemade,strengthforthebusynessofthedaysandweeksahead,couragetostandupforwhatisright,andloveforourneighbors?God,wouldyoualsohelpustoloveyoumoreandmorewitheachdaythatpasses.Helpustoliveoutyourlove,thatitwouldshinethroughalltheChristiansinWestVirginia,thatwemaybeanexampleofthelovethatyouhaveforallpeople!Wepraythateverythingwedowouldbringhonorandglorytoyourname.InJesus’name,amen.

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CCORDINGTOMERRIAM-WEBSTER,JOYIS“THEEMOTIONEVOKEDBYWELL-BEING,SUCCESS,OR GOOD FORTUNE, A STATE OF HAPPINESS OR FELICITY, OR A SOURCE OR CAUSE OF

DELIGHT.”PAULGIVESFOURREASONSHEFOUNDJOYINLIFE.First,PaulwasjoyfulindifficultcircumstanceswhenGod’splanwasadvanced.Ifanyone

everhadareasontocomplainabouttheircircumstancesinlife,Paulwouldbeatornearthe top of the list. He moved from place to place, was snake-bitten, shipwrecked,imprisoned, stoned, and faced certain death onmultiple accounts.However, despite hiscircumstances,he found joy inallof it,becauseGod’splan forhis lifewasbeingcarriedout.Second,hewas joyfulwhenpeople spokebadlyofhim, as longasothersheardabout

Jesus.I’msurePaulwouldhavepreferredthatallpeopleheard,listened,andlivedoutthemessageofJesushewasteaching.Insteadofbeingangry,bitter,ortalkingback,hechosetohavejoybecausemoreandmorepeoplehadtheopportunitytohearaboutJesus.Third, hewas joyfulwhen he faced death, as long as the good news about Jesuswas

beingpreached.Paulvaluedhislife.However,hevaluedlivingforJesusmore!Finally, hewas joyful when he longed to go to heaven as long as the purpose of the

churchwasbeingadvanced.Atthispoint,PaulhadfaithfullyservedGodforyearsandhadadesiretogobewithhim.Yet,PaulunderstooditwasnothistimetoleaveforheavensohefoundjoyinadvancingGod’skingdomthroughthelocalchurch.

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AUL ISCONCERNEDSPECIFICALLYWITHBELIEVERS INTHECHURCHCAUSINGDIVISIONOVERINTERPRETATIONS,STANDARDS, INTERESTS,ANDPREFERENCESTHATARELARGELYMATTERS

OFPERSONALCHOICE.Fortunately,we do not have these issues in the church today, right?Of coursewe do.

Toomanytimeswe,asChristians,allowourpersonalopinionstotrumptheWordofGod.PaulspeaksagainstChristians insistingontheirownwaybecause it issinfulanddividesthebodyofChrist.Forbelieverstohumblydefertooneanotheronsecondaryissuesisamarkofspiritualstrength,notweakness(Romans14:1-15:7).Paul lists four if/then statements. John MacArthur suggests that a better word than

“then”usageinmoderndayEnglishwouldbe,“because”,“since”,or“so”,inorderforusto better understand the meaning. First, believers should be unified because there isencouragementinChrist.Second,believersshouldbeunifiedbecauseofthecomfortthatcomes from those who closely love one another. Third, believers should be unifiedbecauseallbelievershave theHolySpiritasahelper.Finally,believersshouldbeunifiedbecauseJesusdemonstratedbothaffectionandsympathy.There are so many things in our world that divide us. The Church cannot afford for

believers to be divided about secondary issues. As believers, we must choose to unifybecause we come alongside each other and show love and compassion, because of thecomfortwereceivefrombelieverswhowalkbesideusthroughdifficultsituations,becausetheHolySpirithelpsusfollowafterGod,andbecauseJesusisourperfectexampleofhowtoloveothers!

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TTITUDEISAWORDTHATOFTENISUSEDINANEGATIVEMANNER.Iremember,asakid,mymomsaying,“YoubetterstraightenuporI’llgiveyouan

attitudeadjustment.”Being theoldest child, I knewmostof the time shewas talking tomy two younger sisters. What did my mom mean by that statement? The three of uscertainly knewwhatmommeant. Shewas going to change thewaywe acted in a givensituationevenifittookherlovingdisciplinetoforcethechange.In Philippians 2:5 we find Paul saying, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is

yoursinChristJesus.”PaulisremindingandencouragingthechurchatPhilippitotakeonthesametypeofattitudeJesushad.Now,Paulwasnotgoingtogetoutawoodenspoonor yardstick. However, he used his words; almost in a pleading manner. Paul did so,becausehewasstressingtheextremeimportanceoftheneedforbelieverstobehumble,justasJesuswas,sothattheywouldexperiencetrueunitywithinthechurch.WhatattitudedidanddoesJesushave?JesusistheSonofGodandtheAlphaandthe

Omega.Yet,outofloveforallpeople,hehumbledhimselfandwasbornasahuman.Hehad a family and faced difficult life circumstances. He endured controversy and wastemptedbutdidnotsin.TheattitudeJesuslivedoutforusisthattheneedsofothersaremore important thanourownneeds,andGod’splan isalwaysmore important thanourplan.Let’shavethatsameattitude.

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AMVERYFORTUNATETOHAVEBEENRAISEDBYAMOMANDDADWHONOTONLYLOVEGOD,BUTALSOLOVEMEUNCONDITIONALLY.EvenbeforeIwasborn,myparentshadadeepdesiretoraisemetoloveGodandlove

others.TheywereintentionalandbegantomoldmeintothemantheysomedayhopedIwould become. Looking back upon my life, I can see several ways they instilled thesevalues.Theysetagoodexampleandlivedoutthesevaluesinfrontofme.TheymadesureI understood I was unconditionally loved and that I understood obedience. And theytaught me to take responsibility for my actions and helped me understand there wereconsequencestomyactions.Goodactionsledtopositiveconsequences,andbadorsinfulactionsledtonegativeconsequences.Whydidmyparentsmakesomanysacrificestoteachmetheselessons?Theydiditout

of love andadesire forme to succeed in life. Just likemyparentshelpedmoldme intowhotheywantedmetobe,Godmoldsbelieversinasimilarway.GodgaveusJesusastheperfect example and loves us unconditionally. God helps us understand the need forobediencetohim.AndGodhelpsuslearntotakeresponsibilityforouractionsandprovestousthereareconsequencestosin.God’spowerandpresenceempowerustoliveouthispurposeforus.

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OWDOESABELIEVEROVERFLOWWITHGOD’SLOVEANDMAINTAINTHEHUMBLEATTITUDEOFJESUSINDAY-TO-DAYLIVING?

Paulchallengesus,asbelievers,to“pressontowardthegoalofknowingChrist,”whileacknowledgingthathehadnotyetachievedthisgoal.PaulunderstoodthattheChristianlifedoesnotendbygivingone’slifetoChrist;ratherthatthesalvationexperienceisjustthe beginning of the Christian life. Paul refers to life as a race. Life is not a 200meterdash;it’samarathonthatlastsalifetime.WhatmotivatesustopressontowardthegoalofknowingChrist?Ourrelationshipwith

Jesusanddesire tobecomemore likehimshouldbeourmotivation forallwedo. Jesusfirstlovedusbylayingdownhislifeforus.Becausehelovesus,wefollowafterhim,wedon’tquit,andwestrivetoknowhimmore.Paulemphasizes forgettingwaswasbehindand focusing on what was in front of him. A runner is not guaranteed success todaybecause hewon yesterday. Likewise, any runnerwho looks behind him runs the risk ofmakingamistakeorbeingpassed.ItisvitalthatwemakethemostofeverymomentandfollowafterChristwithall thatweare today,sothatwecanbuilduponthatmomentumtomorrow.Don’tliveinthepast.Don’tgiveup.Presson.Pushforward.Followafter.Overflow,andlivetodayforJesus!

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AUGUST22Philippians4(Part1)

HEBOOKOFPHILIPPIANSWASWRITTENNEARTHEENDOFPAUL’SLIFE.MOSTLIKELY,THISWASTHELASTLETTERPAULWOULDHAVEWRITTENTOTHECHURCHATPHILIPPI.

HeconcludeshislettertothemhereinChapter4withafewlastpiecesofwisdom.First,PaulchallengedthePhilippianstostandfirmintheLord.Remainobedienttothethingsthatbuild,deepen,andstrengthenourrelationshipwithGod.WemustmaketimetoreadtheBible,pray,fellowshipwithotherbelievers,andliveouttheloveGodhasforustoalltheworld.Second, Paul challenged the Philippians to settle their disagreements. He specifically

addressedEuodia and Syntyche because theywere in themiddle of somedisagreement.Therearenodetailsgiven,but itwas seriousenough forPaul toaddress it inhis letter.Just like Euodia and Syntyche, we will all face disagreements with other believers. Thedisagreementsmaybeoverimportanttheologicalissues,whoisinchargeofcertainareas,orwhatcoloristhenewcarpetgoingtobe.Itreallydoesn’tmatterwhattheargumentisover. In disagreements, emotions tend to run high, and friendships can be destroyed.Whenwe findourselves indisagreementwithbelievers,we should rememberweareonthesameteam,thatweallbelongtoGod.

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AUGUST23Philippians4(Part2)

AUL’S THIRD CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI WAS TO REJOICE ALWAYS. IT’SIMPORTANT FORUS TO REMEMBER THAT PAULMOST LIKELYWROTE THIS LETTER FROM A

ROMANPRISON.Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, Paul experienced true joy. There is a

differencebetweenhappinessandhaving joy.Happinesscanquicklydisappearbecause itisbasedonourmoodsandcircumstances.Joycanlastmuchlongerbecauseitisbasedona decision to remember all the reasons we have to be joyful, even in spite of difficultcircumstances.Godhaspromisedtoneverleaveusnorforsakeus.Helovesusanddesiresarelationshipwithus.Fourth, Paul challenged the Philippians not to worry. We all experience worry,

anxiousness,andstress.Whenthosemomentscome,wecanexperiencepeaceby tellingGodaboutourstruggles,thankhimforourblessings,andtrustinhim.Finally, Paul challenged the Philippians to fix their thoughts on what is true. Verse 8

provides a good filter for the things we should allow into our lives.We are constantlybombardedwithwords,ideas,andimages.Whatdowegiveourattentiontoandwhatdoweignore?Paulsays,“whateveristrue,honorable,just,pure,lovely,andcommendable.”These challenges still apply to us today. Stand firm in the Lord. Rejoice always. Keep

focusedonwhatistrue.

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AUGUST24Colossians1:15-20

EGINNINGINVERSE15,PAULGIVESACLEARDESCRIPTIONOFWHOJESUSIS.SPOILERALERT:JESUSWASGOD.PAULSAYSTHATINSIXDIFFERENTWAYS.

“HeistheimageoftheinvisibleGod”(1:15).Hewasan image,an icon,ofGodbutdifferentfromthewaywe’remadeintheimageofGod.WeweremadetoresembleGod,butJesusistheexactrepresentationofGod.JesusinonethirdoftheTrinity.“...Thefirstbornoverallcreation”(1:15).Allofcreationwasmadebyhimandforhim.

Heisinthefirstpositionofinheritance.“Andhe is before all things, and in him all thingshold together” (1:17). He is the

center,likethesun.It’sallabouthim.Hewasthereatthebeginning,andhewillbetherevictoriousattheend.“Andheistheheadofthebody,thechurch.Heisthebeginning,thefirstbornfromthedead”(1:18).Astheheadofthebody,heisthesourceofnewlife.Thecloserwearetohim,themorehislifeflowsinus.“ForinhimallthefullnessofGodwaspleasedtodwell”(1:19).Paul’spointhere is

thatasChristdwellsinyou,thefullnessofGoddwellsinyou.“Andthroughhimtoreconciletohimselfallthings,whetheronearthof inheaven,makingpeacebythebloodofhiscross”(1:20).Andlastly,butthegreatestnewsofall:Wewerethesinners,buthewastheonewhopaid.Hecameafterusandrescuedus.Hepaid the debt for our sins in our place. He did it so “that in everything he might bepreeminent”(1:18).

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AULHADADEEPLOVEFORTHECHURCHBECAUSEOFTHEDEEPLOVEJESUSHADFORTHECHURCH.

PaulwascommittedtoservingtheChurch.Likeanygoodparenthasfortheirchildren,PaulhadgoalsforthechurchinColossae.Pauldesiredforthesebelieverstohaveastrongheart,tobeunifiedinlove,tohavefullassuranceinChrist,todailywalkwithJesus,andtooverflowwiththanksgiving.Astronghearttrulycomeswhenabeliever is filledwiththeHolySpirit.Weshouldbe

careful to guard our hearts and feed ourminds a diet of healthy spiritual things.Whatgoesinwillcomeout.Wemustfillourheartsandmindswithbiblicaltruthsifwewantastrongheart.Beingunified in lovemeansbelievers come together for a commongoal andpurpose.

Thismeanslayingasideourpersonalpreferencesandopinionstojointogetherwithotherbelievers.Paul urged the Colossians to live daily knowing that Jesus was God and to truly

understand Jesus was all they needed. Having a full assurance in Christ comes whenbelieversliveoutthesespiritualtruths.PaulalsochallengedthemtodailywalkwithJesus.Godhasandcontinuestoprovidefor

ourneedsandbeyond.BecauseofallGodhasdoneforus,weshouldgladlyoverflowwiththanksgivingtohim.

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HEN IWAS INHIGH SCHOOL, A TEACHER ASSIGNEDME TO READ ANDWRITE A BOOKREPORTONFIVEBOOKSWRITTENBYJOHNSTEINBECK.

As a senior, my mind was in so many other places. I was focused on the golf team,national honor society, SAT scores, college applications, and work. I also struggled inreadingcomprehensionwhenitwasnotasomethingthatparticularlyinterestedme.Icanremembersharingthisassignmentandmystrugglewithmymom.ShechosetositdownwithmeandlistenasIread.Sheengagedmewithquestionsaboutwhatweread,andwithher help, I finishedmy project with an A+.What was the key to my success with thisproject?Thekeywasfocus.Myfocuswasallovertheplaceuntilmymotherhelpedmeputthosedistractionsasideandfocusonthetaskathand.Paul challenged the Christians in Colossae to set, or focus, their minds on heavenly

thingsinsteadofearthlythings.Youseeslogansinourworldsuchas“YOLO”(YouOnlyLiveOnce)orhear someonewhosays “I’m lookingout fornumberone.”Theworldweliveinteachesustoliveourlivesthewaywewant,whenwewant,andwithnoregardforothers.TheBibleteachesaverydifferentwayofliving:LoveGodmorethananythingelseandloveothersasyourself(Mark12:30-31).Paultaughtthatweshouldliveinsuchawaythatweviewpeople,things,andactivitiesthroughaheavenlylens.WeshouldseeasGodsees.How’syourvisiontoday?

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EWANTTHINGSTOLOOKPRESENTABLEANDFORALLTHESTUFFTHATDOESN’TBELONGOUTINTHEOPENTONOLONGERVISIBLE.

“Cleanupyourroom!”ThesewerewordsIheardoftenasachildandrepeatnowtomyownchildren.PaultaughtasimilarprinciplewhenhetoldtheColossiansto“putthemallaway.”Now

Paulwasn’ttalkingaboutputtingclothesinthedresser,toysintheirbins,andbooksonabookshelf.Hewastalkingaboutsinfulactionsinourlives.Remember,Paulwaswritingtobelievers.Formysistersandme,“youmustputthemallaway,”wasnotasuggestionorsomethingtobedoneifwefeltlikeit.Thatstatementmeantdoit,anddoitnowortherewill bemajor consequences. Paul’s statementwas very similar tomymom’s. Itwasn’t asuggestionoran“ifyoufeellikeit”statement.Hemeantdoit,anddoitnow.Unlike the items inmybedroom,Pauldidn’t say for theseactions tobeput awayand

broughtoutlater.Rather,hisstatementisto“putthemawayandputthemtodeath.”

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ESTERDAY,WEDISCUSSED “PUTTHEMALLAWAY,” SOTHATTHINGS LIKEANGER,WRATH,MALICE,SLANDER,ANDOBSCENETALKWOULDNOLONGERBEVISIBLEINOURLIVES(COL.

3:8).Today,wearegoingtolookat“puton.”IbegantoponderwhatIwastoldto“puton”

asachild.Myparentswould remindme: put on sockswith your shoes, put on cleanunderwear,

putondeodorant,putonaniceshirt,putonpantswithoutholesintheknees.Thesestickoutinmymindbecauseallofthesewereimportantinstructionsformetofollowasalittleboy,andthey’restill importanttothisday.Mymomanddadtoldmetoputtheseitemson,eithertoenhancewhoIwasortoprotectmefrompotentialdanger.It’simportanttoweardeodorantifa13-year-oldboydesirestohaveanyfriends.OrifIworeshoeswithoutsocks,Iwouldgetablisteronmyfoot.Paul told the believers in Colossae to “put on” compassion, kindness, humility,

meekness,patience,andlove.

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FTERTHEPASTTWODAYSOFEVERYTHINGWESHOULDPUTAWAYANDPUTON,PAULSAID,ABOVEALL,WESHOULDPUTONLOVE.

Whylove?Loveiswhereitallstarts.Everygoodactionofabelieverisrootedinlove.InJohnMacArthur’scommentaryonColossianshesaid,“Loveisthebeautyofthebeliever,dispellingtheuglysinsofthefleshthatdestroyunity.”Loveisthemostimportantqualityinabeliever’slifebecauseloveiswhatcreatesunityinabodyofbelievers.“LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichly”(1:16).God’sWordshouldbeinourheart,

ourmind, andonour lipsdaily. It is vital that believersnot onlyhearGod’sWord, butread,meditate,andliveoutGod’sWord.Whatgoesinwillcomeout.IfwewanttoknowGod’sWordandliveitout,wefirsthavetotakeitinandabsorbit.“Andwhatever youdo, inwordor deed, do everything in thenameof theLord Jesus,

givingthankstoGodtheFatherthroughhim”(1:17).HaveIdoneeverythingtodayasifIwasdoingitfortheLord?

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RI-ATHLETESAREAMAZING.THEYSWIM,BIKE,ANDRUNFORMILEAFTERMILE,ANDTHEYKEEPONGOINGINSPITEOFTHEIRFATIGUE.

As Christians, we are called to endure and continue steadfastly in prayer. If we willpersevereinconstantprayer,trainingourselvestobediligent,wewillseeGodworkinourlivesandinthelivesofthepeoplearoundus.HowdoesPaulcall theColossianchurch tocontinue insteadfastprayer?Whatshould

beourattitudeaswepray thisway?Paul tells thechurch topraywithvigilance, topraywiththanksgiving,andtopraywithpurpose.VigilanceispartoftheChristian’sprayerlife.ThisisthewatchfulnessthatPaul’sspeaks

of.ThefollowerofJesusisaskingandseekingandknocking.Heisawareofwhat’sgoingonaroundhim,andheseeksGod’shelpandguidance.Heknowsthattemptationis justaroundthecorner,andheiscarefultoavoidit.Thanksgiving is alsopartof theChristian’sprayer life.Godcallshispeople to live for

him, andnot for themselves. The temptation though, is to live selfishly. Themotive forprayercanbetogetasmuchasonecanforone’sself(James4:1).However,thethankfulmanwill livewithgratitudeforwhatGodhasblessedhimwith,andhewillaskcorrectlyinprayerforthethingsthatpleaseGod.Finally, the Christian is called to pray with purpose. Paul asks the church to pray for

doors to be open so that the gospel may move forward and impact a lost world. Hedoesn’taskthemtomerelypray,heasksthemtopraystrategically.Let us challenge ourselves to praywith steadfast endurance in away that pleasesGod

andimpactstheworldaroundus.

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AUGUST31Colossians4:6

TICKSANDSTONESMAYBREAKMYBONESBUTWORDSWILLNEVERHURTME.IbelieveIrecitedthosewordsquitea fewtimesasachild.But likeyou,I learned

thatthosewordsarenottrue.Wordsdohurt.CheckouttheselyricsfromHawkNelson’ssongWords:“They'vemademe feel likeaprisoner.They'vemademe feel set free.They'vemademe

feel likea criminal.Mademe feel likeaking.They've liftedmyheart.Toplaces I'dneverbeen. And they've draggedme down. Back to where I began.Words can build you up.Wordscanbreakyoudown.Startafireinyourheartor,putitout.Letmywordsbelife.Letmywordsbetruth.Idon'twannasayaword,unlessitpointstheworldbacktoYou.”Those are powerfulwords from a great song.We all have dayswherewe didn’t sleep

wellorsomeonecreatesdrama.Dayswhenhavetoomuchtodoandnotenoughtimetodoit.Baddays.So,howdowerespondtootherswhenourdayisfilledwithoneorevenmany inconveniences?Paulsaid,“Letyourspeechalwaysbegracious.”Always?100%ofthetime?Thatseemsimpossible,right?LikethesongWordssays,letmywordsbelife,letmywordsbetruth.Godhelpmetohonoryoutodaywithmywordssothattheywouldbecompassionate,

encouraging,purposeful,andpointtheworldtoJesus!InJesus’name,amen.

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SEPTEMBER11Thessalonians1:2-3

HEWORDS“ALWAYS”AND“CONSTANTLY”SHOWUPQUITEAFEWTIMESTHROUGHOUT1THESSALONIANSFROMVERSETWOALLTHEWAYTOONEOFTHELASTVERSES.

Whatissomethingyouareconstantlydoing?What’ssomethingthatisalwaysapartofyourday?Ihavetobethefirsttoadmitthatgivingthanksisn’tatthetopofmylistofthingsI’m

alwaysdoing. Instead, I’mconstantlyworking, constantly checkingmyphoneandsocialmedia, constantly worrying about how I’m going to pay the bills, constantly worryingaboutmykids.Paulmakes itprettyclear, inmanyofhis letters, thatgiving thanks isoneof themost

important thingsto“always”bedoing.Not inanannoying,better-than-everyone,realitydenyingway.It’sanattitude-anattitudethatsetsthetoneforhowyoureacttolife.Is thiskindof attitudeevenpossible?Everyday, eveneveryweek,doesn’t comewitha

lotofthingstobegratefulfor.But,then,InoticedsomethinginterestinginhowPaulwentoutofhiswaytobethankful-forthechurchinThessalonicaandothers:hewasthankfulfor the people. All of the people he encountered on his journeys.Not just some of thepeople, but all of them. I’m sure some of them pushed his buttons or sucked a lot ofenergyfromhim-those“extragracerequired”people-yethewasstillgrateful.IcanbethankfulbecauseitremindsmethatmyFatherusesallthingsandallpeoplein

mylifetotransformmemoreintohischildandusesitformygood.

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N THEHURRYOF LIFE,WE FORGET THATWEARECALLED TOMAKEDISCIPLES (SHARE THEGOSPEL)ASWEDOLIFE(SHAREOUROWNSELVES).

Wehavetasklists,deadlines,kidstorunallovertheplace.We’reburningthecandleatboth ends.We have to re-calibrated to the heart of God and the urgency to share thegospelmessageeverywhereweare.Takealookaroundyou.Seethelostness.“Ourheartswillbemorepronetosharethegospelwithsaintsandsinnerswhenweare

engagedwithourcontext,giveofourselvesandourSavior,andgrieveeverydayoverthespiritualconditionofothers”(D.A.Horton).Relationship requires risk. Whether they are with the believers or nonbelievers,

relationships require a vulnerability andawillingness to share themessage (thegospel)andourselves(oursouls).Itisworththerisk.“So,beingaffectionatelydesirousofyou,wewerereadytosharewithyounotonlythe

gospelofGodbutalsoourownselves,becauseyouhadbecomeverydeartous”(2:8).As Christians, John 4:14 tells us, that whoever drinks of the water of eternal life will

neverbethirstyagain.Therefore,itispartofthenatureofbeingatransformedpersontogive.PartofyouridentityinChristshouldbetogiveyourselfawaytoothers.Verse8 inour text showsushowpleasing itwas forPaul tonot just share thegospel

messagebuthislife,hisheart.It’sinconvenientandhardtosharetheburdensofothers,buttheLordpromisesitwillbejoyful.

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HATABEAUTIFULWAYTOEXPRESSALOVEFORAPEOPLEANDREGION.“Forwhat isourhopeor joyorcrownofboastingbeforeourLordJesusathis

coming?Isitnotyou?”(2:19).PaullovedtheThessaloniansandsharedtheirburdensdeeply.Itremindsmeofmycall

tothepeopleofWestVirginia.HerearefivewayswecanusethedepthsofPaul’srelationshipwiththeThessaloniansas

aframeworktointentionallyloveothers:Weep.Apastor toldmea fewyears ago that “if a churchplanterdoesn’tweek forhis

city,hehasnobusinessbeingthere.”TheroomgetsalittledustywhenIrecallmycalltoWestVirginia.JesushadthissameloveforJerusalem,Luke19saysthat“asheapproachedandsawthecity,heweptforit”(Luke19:41).Listen.Thegreatestcommoditythesedaysisgivingpeopleyourtime.Wherearepeople

rejoicing? Where are they hurting? Often we feel like we need to have things to say,especiallywhenpeoplearegrieving,butit’sokaytobesilentandlisten.Encourage.Pauldidn’tjustfeedlinesofencouragementtohisfriends.Hegavehisright

arm, Timothy, to them for a while. Free up your to-do list so that you are available toencourageintangiblewaysandnotjustemptywords.Sharethegospel.PaulwasmotivatedbythedaytheywillstandinthepresenceofGod.

Makingdisciplesinvolveshavingrealrelationshipsyouarepersonallyinvestingin.Pray.Howoftendoweprayforthosearoundus?ThroughoutthisletterPaulaskshow

he can pray for them (3:9), says he’s praying for them (3:11), commands them to prayconstantly(5:17),andasksfortheirprayersaswell(5:25).

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AULTALKSABOUTENCOURAGEMENTANDCOMFORTTHESAMEWAYJESUSTALKSABOUTHOWTHEHOLYSPIRITWORKSINUS TOCOMEALONGSIDETOENCOURAGE,COMFORT,ANDHELP

US.So, if the Holy Spirit resides in every believer, God uses us in each other’s lives

encourageandcomfortoneanother.Herearefourwayswecanencourageoneanother:

1. How’sitgoing?Timothyhadbroughtagoodreport(3:6),sotheyknewwhatwasgoingonineachotherslives.Weneedtobeawareofwhat’sgoingoninthelivesofthosearoundus.

2. Way to go! They were quick to give words of encouragement (3:7-8). Paul ischeeringthemonandisalsoencouragedhimselfalongtheway.

3. I’mprayingforyou.Paultellsthemthathe’sprayingforthem(3:9-10)andwhathe’sprayingfor.Don’tyouknowtheywereencouragedtoknowPaulwasactuallyprayingforthem?

4. WherecanIhelp?Ifwereallywanttocomealongsideothers,wemustbereadyandwillingtoserve,help,andinvesttangibly.

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FYOUAREANEWCREATION,IFYOUHAVEPLACEDYOURTRUSTANDLIFEINTHEHANDSOFJESUSCHRIST,YOUAREINACONTINUALPROCESSOFSANCTIFICATION(BECOMINGHOLY).

WeareneverfinishedgrowingasGoddesiresholinessfromus.Goddidn’tforgiveandsave you and then move on. “He who began a good work in you will bring it tocompletionuntilthedayofChristJesus”(Philippians1:6).Sowemustcontinuetoallowour faith to transformus - tomakeuspure, to createpractical, everydayholiness inourmindsandwithouractions.Timeforsomeself-reflection:

AmIreadytocooperatewiththeHolySpiritwiththeworkthatGodwantstodoinme?WhatfruitofthespiritofJesusdoIseedevelopinginme?(Galatians5:22-23)HowamIcurrentlychanging?Howdoothersseemechanging?

AsyougivecontrolofyourlifetoGod,hewilltransformyou.

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HEREAREPLENTYOFTHINGSWECANTRYTOPUTOURHOPE IN,BUTTHEGREATESTHOPEFOREVERYCHRISTIANISTHERETURNOFJESUSCHRIST.

Oneday “theLordhimselfwill descend fromheavenwith a cryof command,with thevoiceofanarchangel,andwiththesoundofthetrumpetofGod.AndthedeadinChristwillrisefirst.Thenwewhoarealive,whoareleft,willbecaughtuptogetherwiththeminthecloudstomeettheLordintheair,andsowewillalwaysbewiththeLord”(4:16–18).Everyquestionwillbeanswered.Everywrongwillberighted.Andthoseofuswhohavebeenredeemedbygracethroughfaithwillbewithhimforalleternity.Atthesametime,wealsodealwithalifetimeofhardshipsanddisappointmentsthatcan

causeustoloseallhope.Whiletheseadversitiesarepainful,theyrepresentlifenotgoingthe way we wanted. We expected something better. This is not how we’d planned forthingstogo.Ourreactionsrevealwherewe’veplacedourhope.Doesourhopedependonasetofconditions?OrarewetrulylookingforwardtothesecondcomingofChristmorethananythingelse?Rememberwhose you are, and do not put your hope at risk. TheGodwho rules the

universe has given you hope to endure any challenge of life, nomatter how upsetting,demanding,painful,orimpossible.“Ineedarealhopeaboutarealplacetodispelmyfearsanddiscouragement…”(Elyse

Fitzpatrick,Home).Heiscomingsoon!

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HEN I LOOK TO THE FUTURE, TO THE DAY OF THE LORD’S RETURN, I HAVE TWOCONTRASTINGFEELINGS.

The first is peace and hope. Peter says that our inheritance as children of God isimperishable,undefiled,andunfading(1Peter1).Ourfutureisprotectedandnothingwillbeallowedtohappenthattakethataway.NomatterwhatI’mfacingheretoday,nomatterwhatthisworldthrowsatme,IamGod’schildandtheendwillbebetterthananythingIcanimagine,andthatglorywillneverend!ThesecondthoughtIhavewhenIlooktothedayoftheLordisaboutthefalsesecurity

somanyhave in thisworld.All overpeople are thinking, “I’m fine. I’ll be safe. I’ve gotthis.Nothingtoworryabout.”ButonthisdayoftheLordthatPaulistalkingabout,allofthosenotinChristwillrealizethatthecomfortthey’vehadiscompletelyfalse.EveryonewhobelievessomethingotherthanthetruthofJesus,ourSavior,willquicklyrealizethatthereisaGod,andit’snotme.ArecordofmyseparationfromGodexists,andIhavetopaythepenaltyforit.ThesetwothoughtsleadmetogototheFather:Thankyou,Lord,foryouperfectjusticeandendlessmercy.IpraiseyouforaSaviorinJesus.Helpmesee

truthaccordingtoyourWord,andhelpmemakedisciplesofthosewalkingindarkness.Thankyouforprovidingtruepeaceandsecurity.Helpmetonotadoptanindifferentposturetowardlife,beingtemptedtofindmyhopeinanythingotherthanJesus.Helpmetoworkoutmysalvationwithfearandtrembling(Philippians2:12).IpraythisinJesus’name,Amen.

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TCANBESOEASYTOGETDISCOURAGEDWITHTHECHURCH,ORRATHERWITHTHOSEINSIDETHECHURCH.

Our local churches aren’t perfect. They are full of sinners who politicize things andgossip.Ithaspartialityandcliques.“Weaskyou,brothers, torespect thosewho laboramongyouandareoveryou inthe

Lordandadmonishyou,andtoesteemthemveryhighlyinlovebecauseoftheirwork.Beatpeaceamongyourselves.Andweurgeyou,brothers,admonishtheidle,encouragethefainthearted,helptheweak,bepatientwiththemall”(5:12-14).Paul calls us to believe the best in one another. Respect and take joy in the spiritual

authorityoveryou.Admonish,encourage,andbepatientwiththedifficultpersonalitiesinyourlocalbody.Don’tgiveupontheChurch.Itbrokenbutitisbeautiful.“We need the encouragement, correction, and loving involvement of others who are

willing to risk everything for the sake of the beauty of the bride” (Elyse Fitzpatrick,BecauseHeLovesMe).Keeppraying.Keepgivingthanks.Areyouwillingtoriskyourcomfort,yourtime,yourpreferencesforthesakeofother’s

sanctification?

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EARELIVINGINAN“IN-BETWEEN”TIME.JESUSHASALREADYLIVEDAPERFECTLIFEWECOULDN’TLIVE,ANDHE’SALREADYDIEDTHEDEATHWEDESERVE.

TheLordhaswonthevictory.Wehaveclaimedthat.Butyet,God’swork in theworldisn’tfinished.Andhe’snotfinishedwithusindividually.Thebattleofsinandtemptationcontinuesinourhearts-evenafterweputourfaithin

theLordJesus.Westillsaythingsweshouldn’tsay,westilldothingsweshouldn’tdo,westillhavesininourhearts.Butheiscompletelyfaithfultous.Heremainsfaithfultousondayswhenwearecompletelyunfaithfultohim.Godkeepsworkingonus.Ourprocessof sanctification isnever complete.Hewillnot

rest until we are completely blameless and renewed. When we chase after other gods,whenwecan’tbesatisfiedinhimalone,he’sstillrunningafterus.Iwasbad.Iambad.ButGodisgood.

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EJOICE,GIVETHANKS,GROWINFAITHTHROUGHCONSTANTPRAYER.Aftercompleting1Thessalonians,andmovingontoyetanother letter fromPaul

toalocalchurchheestablished,IammovedtoprayasPaulhasbeeninstructingus.Father,youmustcontinuallycorrectmeformyunbelief.Myabilitytotrustyoudailyisterrible.Forgive

mylackoffaith.Forgivemyunbelief.Helpmetotrustyoumore.HelpmeruntowardsituationsinmylifethatwillcreatethefaithIdesire.Makemeworthyofmycallingtofollowyou.Mayyournamebeglorifiedinmylifeandbymywords

andactionsaccordingtoyourgrace.Father,Iprayforthoseinmylifewhoarefarfromyou.Maymylifebeevidenceofyourmercy,andmayI

usewordstoshareyourtruthwiththosearoundme.Leadmetoencourageandbuildupmyfamily,myco-workers,myneighbors,andeveryoneIinteractwithdaily.Helpmemakemyhomemyprimarymissionfieldofmakingdisciples.Lord,helpmeseesufferingasdesignedtomakeusworthyofyourkingdom.Helpthosesufferingaround

meknowthatnoevilwilltriumph.Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,foreverandever.Amen.

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EW THINGS ARE DEBATED IN THE THEOLOGICALWORLD MORE THAN ESCHATOLOGY (THESTUDYOFENDTIMES).

ThispassageamongotherwritingsofPaulcreateuncertaintyaroundthefinalevents.Intoday’spassage,PauladdresseseventsthatmustprecedethereturnofJesus.Hebringsupthe“manoflawlessness”,ortheantichrist,inverse3.Regardlessofwhere you land theologically, orwhat you’vebeen taught,we can all be

sure of a few things: There will always be political nightmares and beasts against theChurchwhoopposethetruth.Wemuchbeonguardagainstthem.Whoever the“restrainer”maybe,wecan remember thatGod is in control.Becauseof

his faithfulnesstous,wecantrusthimtopreserveus.God is incontrolof thereturnofChrist.Godordainedthesesigns,andinhissovereigntywehavehope.Andwhatevertimethismanoflawlessnesscomes,ouronlydefenseagainsthimwillbe

adeepdesireforGod.Hewilltemptusbytryingtoappealtoourflesh.IfChristsatisfiesus,andiftreasurethegospel,wewillnotbeovercome.

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FSOMEONEASKEDYOUTODAY,RIGHTNOW,WHATISGODDOINGINYOURLIFE,HOWWOULDYOUANSWER?

“NowmayourLordJesusChristhimself,andGodourFather,wholovedusandgaveuseternalcomfortandgoodhopethroughgrace,comfortyourheartsandestablishthemineverygoodworkandword”(2:16-17).Whydoyouhavehope?TheseversesansweritsosimplyforallofuswhoareinChrist:

“Eternalcomfortandgoodhopethroughgrace.”Our hope is based on the grace of God. If Godwere not gracious, therewouldn’t be

hope.Withoutgrace,wecouldbepositivethinkersormoralrelativists.Therewouldbenocertaintyaboutthefuture,noconfidencethatGodisworkingallthingsforourgood.When someone asks you a reason for thehope that youhave, one simple answer you

cangive is that youhave tasted thegraceofGod.Youhavegottenhope throughgrace.Youcan’tearnitordeserveit.RestinGod’sgrace;delightinit;it’sfreeandyours.

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AULDESIRESFORTHETHESSALONIANSTOBEENGAGEDINSPREADINGTHEWORDOFGODINTHELIVESOFOTHERS-JUSTASITWASWITHTHEM.

So,what does he tell them to do? Pray! Pray for those carrying theWord. Even Paul,who has the gospel in him, the power of God which produces hope in others in him,needs theprayersof the saints.AskGod toopenour eyes to thegloryof thegospel sothatwhenweshareitwithothers,thereispowerinChristtocauseotherpeopletobelievealso.Evangelism is not carried out byWord or prayer only. He gave commands, it says in

verse 4, andhe prayed in verse 5.Don’t stop praying.Don’t stop speaking the truth ofJesus. If you are living by the Word, there will be new ways to share the gospel thatdoesn’tsoundfakeorcontrived.“Our Father loves each of his children as if he had no others.Wemust peer into this

abyssoflove;plungeintothissea;diveintothisdepthunsearchable.”-CharlesSpurgeon

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HEPOINT ISNOTALIENATION,BUTRESTORATIONTHROUGHTOUGHLOVETHAT INSISTSONCHANGE.INTHESEVERSES,PAULMODELSMERCYANDJUSTICE.

"Mercy: because, inworking a secular job for his bread, he gavemore time and effortthanwasrequired,anddemandedlessthanhehadarighttoreceive.Justice:because,indemanding thatotherswork,hewas forbidding themtodemandmercy fromthechurchandinsistingthattheyearntheirfood”(JohnPiper).So,howdoweknowwhentolovewithmercyandwhentolovewithjustice?Wearemorepronetoleantowardournaturaltendencies,soknowyourself. Ifyouare

naturallymerciful,trytothinkaboutjusticemoreoften.Ifyouarenaturallyjudicial,trytothinkaboutmercymoreoften.Themoreprivateasituationis,themorelikelygivingmercywillbealovingapproach.

Demandingjusticeinthesecasescanseemselfish.Butthemorepublicthesituation,themorelikelyjusticewillbemoreloving.Inthesecases,justicecommunicatescareforothersandnotforyourself.“Hehastoldyou,Oman,whatisgood;andwhatdoestheLordrequireofyoubuttodo

justice,andtolovekindness,andtowalkhumblywithyourGod?”(Micah6:8).

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SEPTEMBER151Timothy1:1-11

MPTYNESTSYNDROMECOMESABOUTWHENPARENTSOFGROWN-UPCHILDRENSUDDENLYFINDTHEIRHOMEVOIDOFTHEHECTICNATUREOFRAISINGTEENAGERS.

Often,parentseitherlongfortheirchildrentobebackwiththemorsimplydon’tknowwhattodowiththeirnewfoundtime.In1Timothy,wefindaletterfromanempty-nester,the apostle Paul, written to his son in the faith, a young pastor.Without a doubt, PaulwouldhavelovedtobewhereTimothywas,spendingtimewithhim,teachingwithhim,andministering alongside him.However, we see the sacrificial love of Paul as he urgesTimothytostayputinEphesus,laboringinpastoralministryforGod’sglory(1:3).Paul’s letter ismostsimplydescribedas instructions.AshegivesTimothy instructions

forhowtoleadthechurch,wegettolisteninandallowittobenefitourlivesaswellastheministryofourlocalchurches.PaulbeginsbyadmonishingTimothytoguardthetruegospel.AsChristians,wehavebeengivenamessageofhopefoundinJesusthatwemustprotect. However, wemust balance that guardianship against the temptation of wastingtimeonunfruitfuldebates.Don’t be the one on Facebook jumping into arguments in the comments section,

thinking somehow that Jesus’ministry is being fulfilled in that.We are a people of realrelationships, not vain discussions (1:6).When we spend our time investing in peopleinstead of correcting people, the correction will come naturally through love anddiscipleship.All thatwedo flows fromlove,giventousbyagraciousGod.“Theaimofourchargeislovethatissuesfromapureheartandagoodconscienceandasincerefaith”(1:5).

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S CHRIST’S POWER ON FULL DISPLAY IN YOUR LIFE AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF YOURSINFULNESS?

Complimentarycolorsarethosethataredirectlyacrossfromeachotherwhenlookingatacolorwheel.Thismeansthatwhenthesecolorsarecombined,theycanceleachotheroutbecause they are direct opposites.Often, sports teamswill use complimentary colors ontheirjerseys.Forexample,theFloridaGatorsareroyalblueandorange.Onajersey,thosecolors contrast andmake thenumbers truly standout.Lettersornumbers arebest seenwhen set against a backdrop that is opposite to them.This iswhy you’re reading blacklettersonawhitepage.God’s salvation of sinners andhis employment of them in hismission is similar.God

oftenusestheseeminglyweakestpeopletodothemostamazingthingsforhisname.ThisisPaul’spoint.Heidentifieshimselfastheforemostofsinners.Paulviewedhimselfastheabsolute worst, and to think that God would choose him to be an apostle shows, notPaul’smight,butGod’smight.In2Corinthians12:9,theLordsaystoPaul,“Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness.”We must be careful to not think too highly of ourselves for we are nothing without

Jesus.Andhismightdisplayedagainstthebackdropofourweaknesshasapurpose.Itisshown to us in verse 16: “...that inme, as the foremost, Jesus Christmight display hisperfectpatienceasanexampletothosewhoweretobelieveinhimforeternallife.”Yourdepravity,yourmistakes,yourflawsarebeingredeemedbyJesussothatthosewhomheispursuingwithgracecanseeanexampleofitinyou.

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AR IMAGERY ISOFTENTHEMOSTVIVID FORMOF ILLUSTRATIONTHEHUMANMINDCANTHINKOF.

Throughoutscripture,warfareanalogiesareusedtodescribethefightofourfaith.Paulencourageshis son in the faith to“wage thegoodwarfare” (1:18).Mostofushaveseenenoughofourglobalpolitical landscape tohold thebelief thatwar isnotagood thing.ButPaulusestheword“good”todescribethespiritualbattleofourlives.Awarcanonlybegoodifthepurposeforitisnoble.Tobesure,wefightforaworthycausewhenwewagewarforthesakeofthegospel.We

arefightingtodefendthegloryofourGodandfightingtorescuethe“prisonersofwar”whoareheldcaptiveby theirsin.Pauldescribessomeashavingshipwrecked their faith.Naval battles increased in importance throughout history. Shipwrecks within warfarecausedmuchlossoflifeaswellasfinancialloss.Morethanthat,losingshipsmeantalossofterritoryastheenemywasabletotakeresidencethere.Whenpeopleabandonthefaiththey seemingly once had, they allow the enemy to take over and use that to attempt tothwartourGod’sbattleplan.Thankfully, we know that we serve on the winning side. In light of that, Paul boldly

called out the enemy as well as those who gave the enemy any sort of foothold. Thisboldness and confidence comes from knowing our great general, Jesus, who securesvictory for us. Today, like every day, choose to fight intentionally for the winning side.Wagegoodwarfareandlookforopportunitytopushbackdarkness.

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OWOFTENDOYOUPRAYFORYOURLEADERS?WESHOULDBEPRAYINGOFTENFOROURGOVERNMENTOFFICIALSANDCOMMUNITYLEADERS.

Paultellsusthattheresultofourdiligentprayerforourleadersisa“peacefulandquiet”life.I’mnotsureaboutyou,butIoftenfeellikeapeacefulandquietlifeisalwayselusive.This ismostly due to the fact thatmy young children are seemingly always in a chaoticstate.Butitdoesn’ttakeintenseobservationfromustoseethatourworldisinachaoticstateaswell.Romans 8:20-21 says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but

becauseofhimwhosubjected it, inhope that the creation itselfwillbe set free from itsbondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”Becauseofour sin, the stateof thisworld isdismal.Wesee racial tension inournationandwarsaroundtheworld.Alongwiththeseissues,manyothereventsandissuesremindusthatthisworldisnotreallyadesirableplacetolive,althoughitisouronlyoption.Inlight of this, we are driven to our knees to pray for our world, the nations, ourcommunities,andourleaders.Paul says that when God grants us a peaceful and quiet life in the midst of a fallen,

chaoticworld,wewillbegodlyanddignified.Now,beinga truebornandbred redneckfromsouthernWestVirginia, I don’t recall ever beingdescribed asdignified.The literaldefinition of theword Paul uses theremeans the characteristic of a person deserving ofrespect.Whenwepraydiligently,we’regrantedpeaceandarerespectedbyothersleadingtoopportunitiesforgospeladvancement.

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AULWRITESSOMEBRIEFINSTRUCTIONTOTIMOTHYCONCERNINGGENDERROLESWITHINTHECHURCH.

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God hecreatedhim;maleand femalehecreated them.”The issueofgenderhassadlybecomeavery controversial issue in today’s culture. We are surrounded by evidences of genderroles being reversed and people who are genuinely confused about their sexuality andtheir gender identity. The reality is that God has created male and female from thebeginning.ComingoutofPaul’sexhortationtobepeopleofprayer,menarecalledupontoleadby

beingmenofprayer.Aconsistentprayerlifewillkeepusfromangerandatemptationtobe divisive or quarrelsome. Conversely, Paul then addresses the role of women in thechurch, intheessenceofwhattheyareforbiddentodo.Paulwas likelyaddressingsomeprevalent issues among women in the Ephesian church. Because Paul doesn’t say whatwomen should do (only what they shouldn’t) this passage has been attacked aschauvinistic.Paul clearly says that women are forbidden to teach, but that they should learn in

submissiveness. The word used, didaskein (to teach), is used in scripture to describeauthoritative teaching in the local church. So a balanced interpretation of this text isneeded.Misinterpretationononeendwouldsaythat thiscommandismerelycultural infirstcenturyEphesusandthatwomencanbepastorstoday.Misinterpretationontheotherend would say that women have a strict dress code and they’re not even permitted tospeak.Truly,womenareequalwithmenandtheproperinterpretationisthatwomenaresilentwhenitcomestoapastoralvoiceinthechurch.

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HEN I FIRST BECAMEA PASTOR, IREMEMBER BEINGANNOYEDWHENANYONEWOULDSEEMINGLYHOLDMETOAHIGHERSTANDARD.

“Aren’t you a preacher? You shouldn’t act like that.” I understand that I’m still in theflesh and still sin, but it often seems likemany others don’t see that. But looking intoscripturehitsmelikeatonofbricks.Pastorsareindeedheldtoahighstandard.Thispassageofscriptureissurelyanoblegoalforeverybeliever.Butpastorsespecially

are called to be “above reproach.” This shows us that a pastor’s reputation truly doesmatter.And it’swise for everyChristian to also care about their reputation. The notionthat “only God can judgeme” is true but is not the attitude that we should have. Theunfortunate truth is that many, if not most, non-believers are more turned off byChristiansthantheyarebyChristiandoctrine.Thisshouldleadustoadeeprespectforourspiritualleaders.Ifyou’reapastor,thank

yousomuchforyourfaithfulservicetoJesus’bride.Fortherestofus,weoughttofeeladeepgratitudeandappreciation forourpastors, andnot justduringpastor appreciationmonth.Maybetakethisdaytoletyourpastor(orpastors)knowthatyoucare.Sendatextmessageordosomethingpracticalforthem.Manypastorsfightdepressionandstressthatgoesunnoticedbymany.Thenatureofthejobistobearpeople’spainandthensmilebigwhenthenextministryopportunitycomesalong.Showsome love toapastor todaybutultimately give all theglory toGod for calling faithfulmen into thisministrywithin thechurch.Ephesians4:11-12tellsusthey’reagifttoustoequipusforministry.

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ESTERDAYYOUHOPEFULLYAPPRECIATEDYOURPASTORS.TODAYYOUNEEDTOAPPRECIATEYOURDEACONS.

Paulnaturallymoveson frompastoral requirements todeaconrequirements.Similarly,thebarissetveryhigh.Again,thesearethingsthatallofusshouldattempttoportrayinourlivesasChristians.

Butdeaconsarecalledupontobeblameless!Thewordmeanstobecompleteandlackingnothing.A good deacon is not a novice or lacking in his development of service to thechurch.Theworddeaconliterallymeans,“throughthedirt.”Agooddeaconshouldneverbeafraidtogethishandsdirty,forthatistheveryessenceandmeaningofhistitle!WhenthefirstdeaconswerechoseninActs6,theywerechosentofreeupthepastorsto

pray and devote themselves to teaching the gospel. Recently, our church staff wentthrough and delegated many small tasks to some faithful servants in our church. As apastor, it felt likeanunbelievableweightwasliftedoffofmewhenmanyoftheseserviceoriented tasks were lovingly taken by servants (deacons) in the church. It made meinstantlyamoreefficientpastorasIhadmoretimeandmorementalfocustoworkonmycalling.Somaybeyoucouldconsidertoday,howyoucanserveyourchurchinahighercapacity

tomorrow. What small job can you take that could take some weight off one of yourpastorsordeacons?Eventhoughmanytasksmayseemsmalltoyou,oftentimesthesmalljobs are exactly what are needed done themost to alleviate ministry paralysis. Go andmodelourLordJesus,whotooktheformofaservantandappreciateyourdeaconstoday!

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GREWUPINRURALWESTVIRGINIAANDWENTTOCHURCHOFTENASAKID.Irememberthechurchbuildingcontinuallybeingreferredtoas“God’sHouse.”Ican

rememberwonderingasachildifGodactuallylivedatthelittlewhitebuildingbythesideof the road. The thought can be confusing for sure, especially for a child. Interestinglyenough, Paul used that phrase before any local church ever owned a building. ForhundredsofyearsaChristianitywasbeingestablished,nochurchownedabuilding.The household of God is not a placewe assemble, it is seenwhenwe assemble. The

household is the people assembled, not the building of assembly. Elsewhere, we aredescribed as living stones, fit together to form God’s temple, as he dwells within hispeople. As we gather for corporate worship and ordinances, we ought to conductourselves in a way that is respectful, reverent, andworshipful. This was the purpose ofPaul’swritinginthissectionof1Timothy.Thechurch,Paulsays, isapillaroftruth.Thattruth isreflected inthegospelmessage

that we have been saved through, entrusted with, and commissioned to proclaim. Pauloutlinesthistruthwithsixlinesofacredalhymnfromthefirstcentury.Thisshortcreedproclaims to the hearts of God’s church the truth of redemption found in Jesus andremindsusofourmarchingorders.Paulhad just finishedgivingsomeclear instructionsto the church. Many of those instructions can seem, at times, impossible to fulfill. Butwhenwemeditate on the simple, concise gospel truth of verse 16,we aremotivated toproperbehavior in thehouseholdofGod aswell as evenpropermissionarybehavior intheworld.

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TISADANGEROUSTHINGTOADDTOTHEGOSPELOFCHRIST.God’s design of how he saves is presented to us in the gospel message and that

messagecannotbealteredbyanyman.Addingrequirementstothegospelislegalismandisstronglycondemnedinscripture.FalseteachersandChristiansledastrayinthecityofEphesuswereworkingtoconvince

Christians that there were other necessary requirements for Christians. Paul calls themout,referringtothemasliars.Marriage,agoodthinginstitutedbyGodincreation,isoneof the things that they were working to forbid. Their argument was avoiding sexualrelationsaltogetherwastheholiestwaytopleaseGodsomarriageshouldbeprohibited.Additionally, theywere implementing strictdietary lawsuponChristians. I thinkmany

Baptists who love Potluck Sundays could greatly benefit from some dietary restrictions,butsuchathingisnotgospel-centered.Godwantsustoenjoythingsinlifetohisglory.Food and drink are available for our pleasure, enjoyed in moderation. But to tie oursalvationtomealsandspousesissillyandcontrarytoJesus’workonthecross.At stake here is a true understanding of what Jesus accomplished at Calvary. Did he

purchaseus ashis childrenordidhe inviteus into a systemof rules inwhichwe couldpotentially save ourselves? I hope you know the former is true.He atoned for our sins,taking the Father’s wrath on our behalf. Our debt has been paid and we are under noobligations,prerequisites,orlaws.WearefreetolivetoGod’sgloryandoutofgratitude,abstainfromsinforthesakeofthegospel.Weproclaimthesamegoodnewswereceived,thatsalvationisbygracealone.

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ORKINGOUTHASPROVENTOBEVERYVALUABLEFORME.WHENIGOTOWORKOUT,IBURNCALORIES,LOSESOMEWEIGHT,FEELBETTER,ANDTHINKCLEARER.

Iseegreatvalueinexercise,butPaulsaysthatbodilytrainingisof“some”value.Now,thisisnottosaythatnoneofusshouldexercise.Godwantsustotakecareofourbodiesandbehealthy.ButPaul’spointisthatweshouldstrivetoexerciseourspiritualmusclesmoresothatwecanattaingodliness.Toattaingodliness,wearegivenadirectiveaswellassomethingtoavoid.Thedirective

istotrainourselves.Spiritualdevelopmentanddiscipleshipissomethingthatweshouldnevergrowoutof.You’veprobablyfallenbehindatsomepointinthisdevotionalbookoryoumaybebehindnow.Don’tgetdiscouraged.Insteadofworryingabout“catchingup,”justfocusontrainingfromthisdayforward.Knowthatyou’llhavebadtrainingdays,butdiligencewillreapagreatreward:godliness.The thing we’re told to avoid is “irreverent, silly myths.” I often see theologians (or

“wannabe”theologians)onFacebookarguingaboutthemostminutedetailsofdoctrine.Ican’t help but askmyself what the point is. To be clear, Paul is not telling us to avoidcorrectinganyoneortalkingaboutdoctrine.ButitdoesseemthatheistryingtoprotectTimothy from distractions from his ministry. To truly be godly, avoid silly debates onreligionandfocusondiscipleshipandevangelism.FocusonlivingyourlifeinawaythatiswholeheartedlydedicatedtotheLord.Forwhenwelivegodly lives,non-believerstakenoticeandtheLordisglorifiedinourtestimonies.

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HRISTIAN BROTHEROR SISTER,DONOT BEAFRAID TO LOOK TOYOUNGER PEOPLE FORANEXAMPLE!

I began preaching when I was only 20 years old. As a young preacher who honestlydidn’thaveaclueaboutwhatIwastryingtodo, Iclungto1Timothy4:12,“Letnoonedespiseyouforyouryouth,butsetthebelieversanexampleinspeech,inconduct,inlove,infaith, inpurity.”Godoftenusesyoungerpeopleandtheirenergy,passion,andzealtodoamazingministry inhisname.Whenyoungpeople fullofenergyarepairedwitholdpeoplefullofwisdom,thechurchisapowerfulforce.NowthatI’malittleolder,Ilongforyoungerdaysandtheenergy(andtime)thatIusedtohave.ButI’malsothankfulforthewisdomthatI’vebeenprivilegedtogain.Ahealthybalanceofseekingexamplesinolderandyoungerbelieversaroundmekeepsmecenteredingodliness.Theyoungpastor,Timothy,isgiventhreeprimaryobjectivesashepastorsthechurchat

Ephesus:publiclyreadtheBible,exhortothers,andteachothers.Theseelementsshouldbe prevalent and commonplace within your church. These three things feed us asChristiansandfuelusweekafterweek.Timothyistoldtoimmersehimselfinthesetasks.Ifyouareimmersedinwater,itmeansthatyouarecompletelysubmerged;thereisnotapartofyouthatwaterisnottouching.Isthereanypartofyouthatthosethreeimportantministries aren’t reaching?Maybe you’re hearing it but not feeling it in your heart. Ormaybeitisbutthegospelisn’ttranslatingtoyourhandsandyouractions.Letyourselfbeimmersedinthehopeofthegospeltodayandwithinyourchurch.

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ESTERDAY,WELOOKEDATTHEVALUEOFYOUNGCHRISTIANSTHATISOFTENOVERLOOKED.PaulnaturallyprogressestothevalueofolderChristiansandthenecessityoftheir

care. Christians who have long labored in the faith and are later in life should not beignored. They should be greatly respected and honored. Paul tells the young pastor tospeak to older men in his congregation as fathers. He also goes into some detailedinstructionsonthegoodministryofcaringforwidows.Inthefirstcentury,widowswouldhavefoundthemselvesinespeciallydifficultscenarios.

Due to the culture of the day, many women were simply unable to earn a reasonableincome for themselves sowidows found themselveshelpless at times.The churchhad asolution:careshouldbeadministeredtomakesurethesebelievingladiesweretakencareof.James1:27says,“ReligionthatispureandundefiledbeforeGodtheFatheristhis:tovisit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from theworld.”Theprinciplehereisthatthegospelcompelsustohelpthosewhocan’torhavetrouble

helping themselves.Unfortunately, the care that the church is called togiveoften seemsmore like aburden thanablessing. It is aprivilege tobeable tohelpothers, especiallythose who have lived godly lives. Verse 10 says, “if she has brought up children, hasshownhospitality, haswashed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and hasdevotedherselftoeverygoodwork.”Weshouldbeonthelookoutforpeoplelikethattocare for.Perhapsyoucanstart todayby thinkingofsomeone like this,praying for them,andreachingouttoservethem.

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NFORTUNATELY,ITCANBECOMEEASYFORUSTOCRITICIZEOURPASTORS.Thoseofuswhohavespentanumberofyearsinthechurchhavelikelyseenvery

vividly how ugly church operations can sometimes be. If you have yet to see that, bewarned thatyouwillprobably see it rear itsuglyheadeventually.Paul takesyetanotheropportunitytoaddresssomeissuesabouthonorofourpastors.Our tendency can be to critique every word in a sermon or read too much into a

commentorthelackofahandshakeonabusySunday.Paulsaysthatelders(pastors)areworthy of double honor. That leads Paul to contend for payment to ministers. HereferencesanOldTestament lawthat forbadepeople tomuzzleanoxwhile itwas in thefield.TherewasaprinciplethatGodinstitutedwithinthelawthatcaredfortheox:astheox worked for the man, it was only right that the ox was able to eat from the field itworkedin,therebyfulfillingitsneeds.Pastorsarecomparedtooxen.Astheylaborinthefieldofministry,theyhavearighttoearntheirlivingfromthefieldofministry.Now, not every pastor must be vocational. Some of our best are bi-vocational.

Sometimes churches simply aren’t able to have a “full-time” pastor. But God’s principlehere is that all pastors areworthy ofwhatever can be given because ifwe’re honest, allpastors are full-time. There’s never a time they stop being a pastor and occasions ofministrycontinuallycomeup.Becauseofthat,wehonorthem,weblessthem,weprovideforthem,andwedoallwecantonotplaceametaphoricalmuzzleonourpastors.

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E SHOULD LIVEWITH A HEALTHY REALIZATION THAT ALL OF OUR STUFF ULTIMATELYBELONGSTOGOD.

Ithinkalmosteverypreacherhasusedthevisual illustrationofahearsewithaU-Haultrailerhitchedtothebackofit.Youneverseesuchathing.Thepointisthatyoucannottakeanyofyourpossessionswithyouwhenyouleavethisworld.Paulsaysin1Timothy6:7 that “we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of theworld.”“Foreverybeastoftheforestismine,thecattleonathousandhills.Iknowallthebirds

ofthehills,andallthatmovesinthefieldismine.IfIwerehungry,Iwouldnottellyou,fortheworldanditsfullnessaremine”(Psalm50:10-12).I lovethe ideathatGod“ownsthecattleonathousandhills.” It’s likearedneck,West

Virginia way of saying that God owns it all. When we realize that God actually ownseverythingthenweunderstandthatwearemerelystewardsofGod’sthings.Ourmoney,homes, and possessions have been given to us for us to use as gospel leverage for hisglory.Those who fail to realize this will pursue riches. That is a depressing pursuit. Many

peoplemisquote verse 10 and say thatmoney is the root of all evil. That’s not correct;money isagift fromGodthatcanbeused forhisglory.But the loveofmoneywill takeroot in a sinfulheart andproduce inus all kindsof sin thatwedon’t even realizewe’recapable of. Guard your hearts against greed, give generously to gospel work, and becontentwithyourlife.

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LOVETOSITDOWNWITHAGOODBOOKANDREADVERYDESCRIPTIVEWRITING.THEPROLIFICUSEOFADJECTIVESANDBEAUTIFULLANGUAGECREATESASORTOFPAINTINGTOME.Paul puts hiswriting on full display as he nears the end of his letter, inspired by our

Lordof course.Hegrowsdoxological ashe seeks to stirup inTimothy amotivation tocontinueministry.When I was young I played a lot of sports.My parents instilled inme a drive and a

resilienceandonethingthatwasneveranoptionwasquitting.Ithinkalotofithadtodowiththefactthatuniformsandshoeshadalreadybeenpurchasedbutnevertheless,whenIstartedasportsseason,quittingduetoanyreasonwasn’tachoiceforme.Justasmyfatherwouldtellmenottoquit,Timothy’sspiritualdadtellshimthesame

thing.Heurgeshimto“fightthegoodfightoffaith,”drawinguponavividanalogyagainin this letter. It is likely that the pressures ofministrywereweighing heavy onTimothyandhefeltlikethrowinginthetowel.Maybethat’swhereyouaretoday.Maybeyourministryoryourjoboryourfamilyfeels

sofrazzledthatyoujustfeel likegivingup.Don’t.Pressforward.OurGodisworthyourperseverance. Maybe you’re feeling energized? If so, think of someone who may berunning on fumes and fill their tank with some encouragement today. An encouragingword to “keep fighting” canmean a lot to someone and it doesn’t takemuch effort todeliver.

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AULFINISHESTHISLETTERBYREMINDINGUSTHATEVENIFWEAREN’TWEALTHYBYWORLDLYSTANDARDS,WEAREWEALTHYBECAUSEWEHAVEBEENGIVENTHEGOSPELMESSAGE.

Igrewupinaverywealthyfamily,atleastbyWestVirginiastandards.Ibegantorealizewewereespeciallywealthybecauseofwherewe lived:oneof thepoorestcounties inthemountainstate.Inspiteofallthemoneythatmyparentsmade,youwouldn’treallyhaveknown it.We drove cars that didn’t break down but theyweren’t fancy.Our housewasonly big enough for us, and a couple siblings even shared bedrooms. We wereintentionallymeager.Growingupfrugaltaughtmeoneofthegreatestlessonsfrommyparents:generosity.I

saw them continually helping neighbors and loving on folks in our community. Paulcharges the wealthy people of Ephesus to the same lifestyle. Your wealth has not beengiven to you for your comfort, but for God’s glory. In light of the realization that Godownseverything,everypennyspentmustbesubjecttohiswill.And thenwe come to understand that we’re all wealthy. Compared to the rest of the

world, I guarantee that you are among the top tier of human beingswhen it comes towealth.Iknowthatjustbywhereyoulive.Sothisiswrittentous.Wehavearadicalcalltogenerosityforthepurposeofgospelmission.Wearedriventogracetowardothersbecausegracehasbeenshowntous.Thisiswhy

Timothy is called to “guard the deposit” that was given to him.We have been given agreatgift.Justasweoughttobecarefulwithourwealth,weoughttobecarefulwiththegospel,strivingtokeepthemessagepureandseeitproclaimedtomany.

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OCTOBER12Timothy1:1-7

HENIWAS12OR13,OURFAMILYWENTTOWILMINGTON,N.C.TOSTAYWITHFRIENDSANDENJOYTHEBEACH.

The first two days were great. Then it happened. It’s 1975, and the movie "JAWS"debutedthatsummer.Surprisingly,manythoughtitwouldbeagoodideatogoseethismovie.Littledidweknow,theonlyseatsavailablewereonthefrontrow!Thenextday,wewentbacktothebeach,butIrefusedtoevendipatoeintheoceanthathadbeenmybestfriendthedaybefore.Fearisreal,whetherexperiencedormanufactured.Tothisday,IstillhaveafearofsharksbecauseofmyexperienceonthatJulyevening.Paul continued his encouragement to his “dearly beloved child” in his second letter. I

love the relationship that they enjoyed because Paul spoke in black and white, andTimothydidnotneedtobecoddled.Hespokewordsofwisdomintohislife.Fearisreal,andPauladdressedthisinverses6and7.Hefirstremindshimto“keepablazethegiftofGodthatisinyou”andthengivesanincrediblewordbywhichtolive.“ForGodhasnotgivenusaspiritof fearfulness,butoneofpower, love,andsound judgment.” "TheNewAmericanCommentary"states,“TheHolySpiritdoesnotproduceaspiritofcowardice.AspiritofcowardicewouldfalterundertheloadofresponsibilitiesthatPaulwasplacingonTimothy.Instead,theHolySpiritproducespower,areferencetoaforcefulnessofcharacterthatcanuseauthorityboldly.”These are gentlewords to a youngpastor froma seasonedone.Fortunately, they also

speak to our spirit as believers. There can bemuch to fear in this world, but Proverbs29:25 reminds us, “The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts the LORD isprotected.”

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SATEENAGER,IWASAPSEUDO-CHRISTIANANDWASN’TSUREWHATITMEANTTOFOLLOWCHRIST.

In lightof that fact, Iwasapseudorebelliousteenager,butrarely the instigatorof the“bad” stuff. That doesn’t excusemy behavior, but it did savemy rear endmany times.Why?BecauseIwastooscaredtogetcaught.So,ItendedtobetheonestandinginthebacksothatIcouldsneakawayjustattherighttime.Iwasscaredtogetcaughtforonereason–myfather.Ineverwantedtotaintwhatitmeanttobehisson.Ialwaysknewwhatwas right andwrong,but approached life fromneverwantingmydad tobe ashamedofme.Paul approaches the gospel in the same light. He said, “So don’t be ashamed for the

testimonyaboutourLord,ormehisprisoner”(1:8).HeunderstoodthesacrificemadebyChrist, and admonishedTimothy to always bewilling to stand tall for the gospel. Fromwhomdowe base our testimony?Upon Jesus “who saved us and called uswith a holycalling,notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtoHisownpurposeandgrace”(1:9).Whenwe stand forChrist, it is not for our ownhonor, honorof family, or prideof ourcountry,butforthenameaboveallnames–JesusChrist.Paul reiterates this same idea in verses 11-12, “For this [gospel] I was appointed a

herald, apostle, and teacher… I am not ashamed because I knowwhom I have believedandampersuadedthatheisabletoguardwhathasbeenentrustedtomeuntilthatday.”What day? The Day of the Lord, when all the works of our life will be laid out forjudgment.OnlythosethingsthatwereofGodwilllast,soletusfocusonthosethingsthatwillbringglorytoChristonthatday.

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OCTOBER32Timothy1:13-2:13

HISCHAPTERISAPIVOTALPOINTINPAUL’SLETTERTOTIMOTHY.Paulwas deserted bymanywho had first begun to followChrist, andwhat Paul

taught.Notallwhosay theyare followersare true followers.PhygelusandHermogeneswere called out as deserters of the name of Christ, but let us not be so quick to judgethosewhoseemtohavelosttheirbackbone.Thefirstcenturywasnotaneasytime.WhenonesaidyestoJesus,itbecamealossof

livelihood,friendships,andevenadeathsentenceformany.Itplacedalabelonone’sshirtor blouse that said, “I am a deserter of the Jewish or Pagan traditions, please persecuteme!”FastforwardtwothousandyearsandconsiderChristianAmerica.Howhardwasittomake a commitment to Christ forty, thirty, or even twenty years ago? Not very. ThingshavechangedTheyoungestgenerationnowbeingbornwillbethehardestdemographictoreachoverthenext30-40years.PaulmadesurethatdidnothappentoTimothy.Helovedhiminsuchawaythatbeing

bluntwasmuchmoreimportantthanbeingpoliticallycorrect.Versetwosays,“Andwhatyouhaveheardfrommeinthepresenceofmanywitnesses,committo faithfulmenwhowill be able to teach others also.” The essence of this verse is a discipleshipmentoringmandate.There isnomore important activity inwhich aChristian canbe involved thanmentoringandteachinganotherbeliever.WhensomeonesaysyestoJesus,thereoughttobeoldermenorwomenclamoringtositdownwiththatpersonsothattheydon’tfallonfallow ground. Take time to read Matthew 13:3-9. Otherwise, we might all become aPhygelusorHermogenes.

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HENONEBECOMESABELIEVER,HEORSHEISLIKEANEMPTYWHITEBOARD.Thereisnothingelsethere–noexperience,noeducation,nodiscipleship,andno

remembrances of Christ’s goodness. Therefore, a new believer is at the risk of nevermaturing as God desires. Timothywas a young pastor, but also seasoned in theWord.Paultookamomenttohelphimseetheimportanceoffocusingontherightpriorities,sofighting“aboutwords”isnotprofitableuseofministrytime.He knew that if a man of God is studying, involved in meaningful worship, and

engagingpeoplewiththegospel,he“doesn’tneedtobeashamed,correctlyteachingthewordof truth” (2:15).Thewordheused todescribe thatbeliever is “approved toGod.”Thisword approved is theGreekworddokimoswhichmeans “to be accepted, pleasing.”AccordingtoDonaldBarnhouse,theonlytruelegaltenderintheRomanworldwerecoinsmadeofmetal.Therewasapracticeofshavingdowntheedgesofcoinsaftercirculationwhichwould condemn them counterfeit. The picture Paul was painting of approval wasoneoftheintegrityofmoneychangers.Whenamoneychangerwashonest,hewouldnotaccept any money coins that had been shaven. This practice became known as moneychangers of approved character. Unfortunately, the only picture we have of moneychangers are those in the templewhenChrist ran themout.Apparently, not all of themweredishonest.Paul said to disregard those who falsely spread the Word because their godlessness

would be obvious, and their teaching could spread like gangrene in a poisoned humanbody. To combat that cancer, continue to know that truth because the truth, and goodworksthatfollowwilllastintheend.LetustakePaul’sadviceanddothesame.

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HENIGOTMARRIED,IHELPEDMYWIFEDECIDEWHATEVERYDAYDISHESANDCHINATOPURCHASEFOROURHOME.

Actually, I really had no choice and always said, “That one is beautiful, honey.” Thisdishwareobviouslyhaddifferentpurposes.Theeverydaywarewasjustthat–weuseditjustabouteverydayandeverymeal,andafter26years,itisstilluseful.Chinahadadifferentpurpose–to sit in a cabinet and looknice.Theonly timeweeverused the chinawas forspecialoccasionslikebirthdaysorMother’sDay.In thispassage,Paulspokeof twodifferent typesofhouseholddishes.One ismadeof

goldandsilver, theotherofwoodandclay.Hispointwas that someare for specialuse,some forordinary.So ifanyonepurifieshimself–setapart,useful to theMaster,preparedforeverygoodwork.Inotherwords,Paulwassayingthatthereweretwotypesofteachersin the church, true and false ones.Only the ones that were teaching the Truthwill lastbecause their words were made of gold and silver which can be refined in fire. Thoseteacher’swordsofwoodandclaywillbeburnedupwiththeirworks.Paulalsosaid in1Corinthians 3:12, “If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones,wood,hay,orstraw…the firewill test thequalityofeachone’swork.”Mayweneverbepiousto thinkthatwewillnotbe judged forwhatwesay,preach,orperform.AllworkswillbeplacedbeforetheTrinitytobetested.He finishes this chapter by pleadingwith Timothy to be diligent in righteousness, so

thatasweteachfaithfully,maybefalseteachers“maycometotheirsensesandescapethesnareofthedevil,afterbeingcapturedbyhimtodohiswill”(2:26).

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VERYGENERATIONFROMEVERYCENTURYHASTHETHOUGHTTHATTHEYARELIVINGINTHEWORSTTIMEOFSINFULHISTORY.

Itmakessenseaspeoplearoundyouareacting like therearenoboundaries,norules,andbelievethereshouldbenoconsequencestotheiractions.Theworldisaverygrayandamoralplace.Theissuebecomesimmoralonlyifsomeoneelseisinvolved,butifitisyou–youarebeingjudged.Paulsays,“Butunderstandthis,that inthelastdaystherewillcometimesofdifficulty.

For people will be lovers of self, lovers ofmoney…” (3:1-2) and includes an incrediblyrevealing listofways theworld is actingat that time. It is also convicting forusnow, ifread themwith an open heart.We have become an international, intercultural world ofsin.Thereisnownothingthatonecannotexperience,ifonewantsitbadenough.Andifhonestyprevails,Paul is saying that itwas trueeven in the first century.This fact showsagainhowrelevanttheBibleistoallwhohaveaneartolisten.Onetruthonemustembrace is that the“lastdays”started in the firstcenturyandwill

not be completeduntil the glorious return ofChrist.After Paul’s list ofwarning duringthese days, he says the false teachers were “having the appearance of godliness, butdenying its power.Avoid such people” (3:5). First, the impostors possessed an outwardappearanceofChristianity,butdenied its essence,or character.Thosekindswillnot lastlong under the power of true Bible teaching. He concludes by encouraging Timothy tolove them, but avoid their ways, thoughts, and influences. Sometimes we just have tomakehardchoices.

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AMCONSISTENTLYAMAZEDBYPAUL’SPERSEVERANCE.InActs14,afterPaulandBarnabashaveevangelizedthetemplecomplexinAntiochof

PisidiaandIconium,theJewsinthatcityinstigateaprotestthatquicklyturnedugly.TheGentiles jump in, but Paul and Barnabas go east to Lystra. It becomes dangerous therealsoasriotersfollowthemtherewiththeintentiontokillthemboth.Afterhealingalamemanandpresentingthegospeltothepeoplethere,Paulisstonedandleftfordead.Afterrecovering from the stoning, they continue preaching in Derbe, and then travel backthrough the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antiocht o encourage the believers in thosecities!Ifitwereme,Iwouldhavefoundasaferwayhome.“ThroughmanytribulationswemustenterthekingdomofGod”(Acts14:22).Inverses10-11of2Timothy,PaulremindsTimothyofthat incidentasherecountsthe

persecutions thatheencountered there.Paul’sadmonitionsurrounding those issueswasto“followmyteaching”because“allthosewhowanttoliveagodlylifeinChristJesuswillbepersecuted.”InAmerica,OrthodoxChristianityisnodoubtbecomingamoredifficultsectinwhichtobeapart,butitpalesincomparisontopersecutionaroundtheworld.Wereallywon’tknowwhatitmeanstobepersecuteduntilourjobsaretakenfromus,wearethrowninjail,orourlivesareindanger.Nodoubt,itisuncomfortablewhenbelieversarecallednamesorpassedupforapromotion,butAmericadoesnotunderstandtruebiblicalpersecution. We tend to pray for that reality to be in the distant future, but if not,rememberJesustoldusitwouldhappeninMatthew5:11-12.Don’tbediscouragedbytheworld’sdemise.Rather,redeemthetimesothatotherswillseeJesusinourpersecution.

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UTHORITYISALOSTWORDINTHEENGLISHLANGUAGE.Everyone has the corner on correctness, but right is relative. Why? Because

authoritycomesnowfromone’sownfeelings,notfromGod,norgovernmentguidelines.Where does your authority come?What do you stand onwhen someone asks you thatquestion?Itshouldonlycomefromonesource–Scripture.FromwhatauthoritydoesPaulbasehiswordsupon?Howcanhebesosureabouthis

instruction? Because the Scriptures point to these truths. At the time of his letter, theScripturespointedonly to theOldTestamentscrolls.Didheknowthathis letterswouldbe placed in a New Testament canon? I don’t see how, yet this letter, included in thecanon,consistsofthismostpowerfulpassageintheScripturesthemselves.“AllScriptureis breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and fortraininginrighteousness,thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,equippedforeverygoodwork”(3:16-17).Atleastsixbasicpointsstandout:1.AllScripturecamefromGod’smouth.2.ItisteachableandapositivesourceforChristiandoctrine.3.Itisreliabletorebukeandexposefalseteachers4.Itiscapableofbendingthepathofonethroughdiscipleship.5.ItisusefulforinstructionandcontinuedgrowthinChrist.6.Itistheauthoritytoequipthosewhoplacethemselvesunderit.TheWordofGodwill lastforever,eveninthemosthostilecultures.Readit.Believeit.

Liveit.

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HISISAHUMBLINGMESSAGE,ANDONEWITHETERNALIMPLICATIONS.THEIDEAISALLWILLSTANDBEFORECHRISTTOBEJUDGED.

2Corinthians5:10says,“ForwemustallappearbeforethejudgmentseatofChrist,sothateachmaybereceivewhatisdueforwhathehasdoneinthebody,whethergoodorevil.”Thisjudgmentreferstoallbelievers,butIbelievethatpastorswillstandatahigherjudgement for correctly imparting theWord to listeners. Paul’s charge to Timothy wassimpleinword,butdifficult inpractice,“Preachtheword;bereadyinseasonandoutofseason”(4:2).Thisculturemightconsiderpreachingasan11a.m.serviceatthelocalchurchbuilding,

but that’s not the case for Timothy. False teachers hadmade their way into the churchbody, poisoning some that were lessmature. Paul challenged him because “the time iscoming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they willaccumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (4:3). Ladies andgentlemen, that time itnow! Paul saw thedanger of incorrect doctrine andwaswarninghis young friend to be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothingwho had come to slaughteryoungbelieversinhiscongregation.InAmerica, people are looking for the next best thing–next cell phone, next car, next

job, forgoodness’ sake, thenext spouseorpartner.This country is a cultureof “itchingears”andforthatmatter, itchingeyes.PaulencouragesTimothyto“endurehardship,dothe work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” You don’t have to be a pastor, or apreacher to heed these words. Wherever God has you, don’t look for the next thing.Instead,firstfulfilltheministryhehasforyouwhereyouare.

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THINKITISINTERESTINGTOREADTHELASTWORDSOFFAMOUSPEOPLE.

“IshouldneverhaveswitchedfromScotchtoMartinis.”(HumphreyBogart)“Iseeblacklight.”(VictorHugo)

Thesetwoquotesdon’tgivemuchhopeforhumanityortheirapproachtotheafterlife.Ioftenwonderwhatmyown lastwordswillbebecause Iwouldhope that theywouldbeinspirationalorprofound.Paul, on theotherhand,had some incredible lastwordswithwhich to encourage the Church. As you read yesterday, in the first five verses of thischapter,PaulchargesTimothywiththedutyofpreachingtheWordcorrectly.Helovedthisyoungmanwithallthathehad,andlongedtoseehisministrycontinuewiththepoweroftheHolySpirit.PreachingtheWordwashismostimportantpurpose.In verses 6-8, Paul then pours his heart out with words of hope, knowing he had

nothing to regret or fear. Early on, his life had been full of mistakes, but now he wasfinishing with Christ in complete control of his life. He knew he would not live muchlongerwhenhestated,“thetimeformydepartureisclose.”HeputhistrustinGodmanyyears before, and never looked back.His hope inChrist finishedwith this statement, “Ihave fought thegood fight, Ihave finishedtherace, Ihavekept the faith.”Wheneverhewasfinallyexecuted,Ioftenwonderedifthosewerehislastwordsfromthegallows.So,whatmight be your lastwords?What do you think youmight say? The problem

withthisthoughtisthatyoumaynothavetheopportunitytosayanything.Therefore,itis important that all of us speak words of kindness and hope while God gives us themeanstodoso.

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AUL SAWMUCHDISLOYALTYDURINGHISMINISTRYAND LIFETIME.ON THEOTHERHAND,PAULENDSHISLETTERCOMMENDINGTHOSELOYALTOHIMANDCHRIST.

Loyaltyisacharacteristicthathasdwindledawayoveryearsofmoraldecline.Itseemsasthoughindividualsgetwhattheywantoutofothers,thentendtostabthemintheback.Allwhoarereadingcanrelatetothispractice insomeform.Goddoesnot intendit thatway,butdepravitycanrundeepwithinrelationships.Thispracticetendstocauseonetobeunwillingtobeafriendwhostayscloserthanabrother(Proverbs18:24).In verse 9, Crescens and Titus had apparently gone to continue theirwork elsewhere.

Luke had stuck around when everyone else had left him. In verse 11, Mark, who haddisappointed Paul on his first missionary journey, was now “very useful to me in theministry.”Desertion arises again (4:16), but he gives all glory toChrist as the onewhostrengthenedhim,sothattheproclamationmightbemade(4:17).HisfinaldeclarationtoTimothywas a victory cry, “The Lordwill rescueme from every evil deed and bringmesafelyintohisheavenlykingdom.Tohimbethegloryforeverandever.Amen”(4:18).Finally, Paul asked Timothy to greet Priscilla, Aquila, and Onesiphorus. He also

commends people whomust have been very special to his ministry. Regardless of howtheyministeredtoPaul,hefelttheneedtonamethempersonally.Takeamomenttothinkaboutthosewhohavebeenloyal friendsandgospelpartnerstoyou. Itmightbeagoodtimetowritea letter,craftanemail,orsendthematext tosaythankyouand“gracebewithyou”(4:22).

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OCTOBER12Titus1

HESPIRITUALGIFTOFDISCERNMENTMEANSONECANPERCEIVEORRECOGNIZESOMETHINGBYSIGHTORSOMEOTHERSENSE,ORBYINTELLECT.

Paulpossessedthisgift,butcoupledwiththegiftofprophecyandproclamation,hewasnotafraidtotellsomeonethetruth.ThisletteriswrittentoanotherpastorwhoPaulwasgroomingnamedTitus.Apparently,

therewerequiteafewproblemsinCretewiththosewhohadspewedfalsedoctrine.Ifyoueverwantedtoseeatruejobdescription,PaulchargedTituswiththejobtoappointeldersin every town. Then he gave him a list of what an elder should look like andwhat hisbehaviorshouldbe.Thereisnoquestionwhattypeofmenshouldbeinthepastoralrole.WhydidPaul tellTitusto findmenwhocouldbecomepastors?Thepeopleneededto

beguidedbymenwhounderstoodtheroleofChristandtheChurchinthecommunities.Theywerepeoplewithnoshepherd,andthecommunitieswerestarvingforguidanceandleadership. Paul says of the people, “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said,‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true.” (1:12-13).Let’sfaceit,wediscernthingsinthelivesofothers,butdon’thavethegutstosayhalfofwhatshouldbesaid.Right?Don’tusethisdevotionasalicensetogotellyourneighborwhattheyaredoingwrong,

orthecousinyoucan’tstomachto jumpoffacliff.ThischapterhelpsusunderstandtheimportanceoflivingtheChristianlifeinholiness,andwhenwecanbediscerning,useitinawaythatwillleavethepeaceofChristintheirsoulastheywalkaway.Thereisatimeandplaceforeverything.

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OCTOBER13Titus2

FINDITINTERESTING,ANDFRIGHTENING,WHENISEETHENUMBEROFDIVORCESANDSINGLE-PARENTINGINAMERICA.ThesestatisticsarefromtheU.S.DepartmentofCensus:

64.3million fathers across the nation - 26.5million aremarried-couple familieswiththeirchildrenundertheageof18.2.5 million single fathers, up from 400,000 in 1970. Currently 18% of singleparentslivingwiththeirchildrenaremen.43%ofUSchildrenlivewithouttheirfather.90%ofhomelessandrunawaychildrenarefromfatherlesshomes.

Our world bends towards life as useless after age fifty. I starkly disagree. I think ofmultiplemenwhowereolderasIwastryingtolearnhowtobeaman.Iwasfortunatetopossessagodlyfather,marriedintoagodlyfamily,andwasblessedwithfantasticmentorsandfriends.AsI lookaroundourworld, itseemssomewhatunfair that Iwasblessedsorichly.Amazingly,itisstillhardtolivetheChristianlife.PaulencouragedTitustoteachtheimportanceofspirituallymaturemenandwomento

passonthewaysofgodliness to thosewhichtheyhad influence.“Olderwomen likewiseare tobe reverent inbehavior,not slanderersor slaves tomuchwine.They are to teachwhatisgood,andsotraintheyoungwomentolovetheirhusbandsandchildren”(2:3-4).In the samemanner he stated, “Oldermen are to be sober-minded…Urge the youngermentobeself-controlled.Showyourselfinallrespectstobeamodelofgoodworks“(2:2,6-7).WhatgreatgodlyadvicePaulhadforayoungpastortotakeanduseasheisleadingnewbelievers.

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OCTOBER14Titus3

ALSETEACHERSHAVEALWAYSBEENPRESENT.PAULWASNOTAFRAIDTOADDRESSTHEM,ANDENCOURAGEDPASTORSTODOTHESAME.

What if Paul had not approached false teachers early in the New Testament Church?What was themotivation? A believer always needs to remember what type of life fromwhichtheycame!Muchhasbeenforgiven,soithelpsonetoapproachotherswithrespect,love,andkindness.Hestates,“Forweourselveswereoncefoolish,disobedient,ledastray,slavestovariouspassionsandpleasures”(3:3).Verse3isastarkreminderofwhatChristhasdoneforandinus.HethenreproducesthefoundationofforgivenessthroughJesusinverses4through7.I

don’t knowwhat it sounds like inGreek, but inmodernEnglish it poetically flowswiththe works of Christ, and words like goodness, righteousness, mercy, regeneration,renewal, justified, andeternal life.Somanyofuswhopreachona consistentbasis, skipovertheattractivenessofPaul’swordshere.He then closes with this admonishment: don’t waste your time on those who try to

discredit you, destroy you, or disregard the truth. “But avoid foolish controversies…Asforapersonwhostirsupdivision,afterwarninghimonceandthen twice,havenothingmore to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned”(3:9-11).Iknowthiswarningisprimarilyhowtodealwithfalseteachers,butyearsago,Ihadaninternalchurchissuewithamember.Iwasstrugglingwithhowtodealwiththem.Fortunately,my68-year-oldmotheratthetime,sharedtheseverseswithmetohelp deal with the issue. Instead of lashing out, I remembered how much I had beenforgiven,andletGoddealwiththatperson.SomeofthebestadviceIhaveeverreceived.

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OCTOBER15Philemon1

ELOVESTORIESOFSECONDCHANCESBECAUSEWEAREAPEOPLEOFSECOND,THIRD,ANDONEHUNDREDCHANCES.WITHOUTSECONDCHANCES,WEAREDOOMED.

In 2003, 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton, was out surfing with her family. She wasattackedbyasharkandlostherleftarm.Fortunately,herfamilyknewwhattodo,gotherto the hospital, and saved her life. Bethany thought her life and dream for surfing wasover,but through theencouragementof familyandayouth leader,Bethany realized thatGod had saved her physically and spiritually for a reason. In 2007, she became aprofessionalsurferandisstilllivingherdream.Onesimuswasinneedofasecondchance.HewasaslaveofPhilemonbuthadrunaway.

Providence has it thatOnesimuswould be thrown in prisonwith none other than Paul.Wow! Paul got to know him, led him to Christ, and eventually wrote this letter to askPhilemontotakeOnesimusbackasabrotherinChrist.Threethingsstandoutaccordingtothe"NewAmericanCommentary."Onesimus’ New Life (10-11): Paul considered himself a father to him and saw real

changeastheyspenttimetogether.Onesimus’ Desire for Restitution (12): Paul was willing to send him because of

Onesimus’willingnesstomakethingsrightwithPhilemon.Onesimus’ValueofService(13-14):HecouldbeofgreatusefulnesstoPaulthereinthe

Roman prison but knew that his return to Philemon would be greater evidence of thepowerofChristianityinthathouseholdandcommunity.Don’teverdevaluethebeautyandthepowerofthesecondchance–youareone!

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OCTOBER16Hebrews1:1-4

EOPLEOFTENASK,WHENCONFRONTEDWITHTHECLAIMSOFCHRIST,“WHYWOULDGODSENDHISSONJESUSTOTHISEARTH?”

It’s agoodquestion.ThewriterofHebrewsanswers thisquestion forus.Very simply,JesuswasandisGod’sperfectrevelationofhimselftous.Hebrews1:2says,“Intheselastdays,hehasspokentousbyhisSon.”That one verse speaks volumes to us. Jesus is God’s finalWord because he is God’s

perfectWord.Inpreviousgenerations,Godspoke,buthisWordstouswereincomplete.He could not speak perfectly through the prophets or the leaders. When Jesus came,however,Godspoketousperfectly.Lookathowheisdescribedin1:2-4.JesusisHeirofallthings;hemadetheworlds;heistheBrightness(source)ofGod’sglory;hesustainsallthings;hepaidforoursins.AndthenHebrewssaysthatJesussatdown.Thereasonhesatdown was because all that he did was fully and completely sufficient. Nothing moreneededtobedone.Therefore,whatwelearnaboutGodandknowabouthimisrevealedtousperfectlythroughChrist.Here’swhatthoseideasmean.WedonotneedanymorerevelationoutsideofJesusand

hisWord.TheBible andwhat it reveals tous about Jesus is enough.Donot look for anewrevelation.WehavetherevelationaboutGod.HisnameisJesus.ThroughJesus,Godhasshownusexactlywhatheislike.Hehasrevealedtousperfectlyhisgreatloveandhasshownustheperfectwayintosalvation.JesusisGod’sperfectrevelation.

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HEBACKGROUNDTOHEBREWSISTHAT,BYTHETIMETHISLETTERWASBEINGWRITTEN(67-69AD),BELIEVERSWERECOMINGUNDERGREATPERSECUTION.

Itwouldgetworseastimeprogressed.Thetemptationwastogobacktotheiroldwaysoflife–tolooklonginglyattheLeviticalpriesthood,withitshumanmediators,anddailysacrifices, as they did when they left Egypt and suffered hardship on the way to thePromisedLand,forgettinghowbadEgyptwas.Wefacesimilartemptations.SometimesitisdifficulttolivetheChristianlife,andweare

temptedtogobacktoouroldways.It isnotthatwewillquitbelieving;wejustwillnothave the same level of commitment as we did before and may fall back into some oldhabitsoranoldlifestyle.HebrewsremindsusthatJesusissuperiortoallthings.Thereasonthatwedonotwant

togobackisbecauseChristisbetterthaneverything.ThroughaseriesofOldTestamentquotes,HebrewssetsforthoneofthegreateststatementsaboutwhoChristisevermadeinScripture:HeisclearlycalledGodandiseternal(1:7-8).Theangelsaremereservants;Jesus’ job is to be Lord. He is true, just, and absolutely righteous (1:9), and he neverchanges(1:12).SeventeentimesintheNewTestament,JesusispicturedassittingatGod’srighthand,meaning,thathisworkatCalvaryiscomplete.Sometimeswegetreallydiscouragedasbelievers,butnevergiveup.Jesusisbetterthan

anythingthattheworldhastooffer.

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HOSEOFYOUWHOARE INTOCOMPUTERSKNOWTHATSECURITY ISACRITICALASPECTOFYOURWORK.

Weworkhardatmakingsurethatourpersonalinfo,creditinfo,areallsecure.IhavetoadmitthatIhavenevergottenavirususingpenandpaper.Justathought.Security:it’sawordweuseforourhomes,it’swhatwedesireforourfamilies,andit’s

howweplan for ourselves financially. Interesting enough, security is oneof theprimaryconcepts found throughout Scripture, especially in the Hebrews. When we understandwhathedid foruson the cross, specificallyhisdeath,we then canunderstandhowoursalvationissecureinhim.“But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s

grace hemight taste death for everyone—crownedwith glory and honor because of hissufferingindeath”(2:9).HerearetwothingstounderstandaboutChrist’sdeath:1.ItwaspartofGod’splanfromthebeginning.Revelation13:8saysthatJesuswasslainbefore

thefoundationoftheworld.2.Christtookourplaceonthecrosssothatsalvationwastotallycomplete.Totastedeathdoesnot

meanjusttotakeasipofit.It’sactuallyaHebrewmetaphorthatmeanstopartakefully.WhatthatindicatesisthatChristexperiencedallthatdeathhad.Itwouldbeimpossible

for anyone to have eternal life inChrist and then fall back into death because death nolonger remains in the cup. Christ’s suffering of death means that he took our sin uponhimself–heboreoursin–hebecameoursubstitute.Andnowheservesas2:10thesourceofoursalvation.YoursalvationissecurebecauseChrististheOnewhosecuredit,providedit,andinsuresit.

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EVERALYEARSAGO,NEWSPAPERARTICLESAROUNDTHEGLOBEHAILEDTHEARRIVALOFASELF-PROCLAIMEDSAVIORWHOWASCALLEDTHESONOFGODBYHISFOLLOWERS.

It turnsouthewasa13-year-oldguruwho tookhisplacealongside themultitudesofpeoplewhohaveclaimedmessiahship.HejoinedtheranksofmenlikeTheudas,whotriedtosplitthewatersoftheJordanandfailed,andSimonMagus,whotriedtoprovehimselfbyflying,unsuccessfully,offabuildinginRome.Falseprophetsandmessiahshavecomeandgone.Hebrews,however,givesusaveryclearpictureintothepurposeofwhyJesusbecamea

man. The Bible teaches us that Jesus is absolutely God. If he is God, why would hebecomeaman?Thewritergivesusthreereasons.1.Toestablishapersonalrelationshipwithus.2:10saysthatGod“shouldmakethesourceof

theirsalvationperfectthroughsufferings.”Thesourceisthewordpathfinder.ItmeansthatJesusblazedthetrailaloneinordertosecureourentryintoheaven.2.TodefeatSatananddeathcompletely.2:14says“that throughhisdeathhemightdestroy

theoneholdingthepowerofdeath–thatis,thedevil.”3. To help us when we are tempted. 2:18 says “For since he himself was tested and has

suffered,heisabletohelpthosewhoaretested.”Jesus understands the dilemmas we face in life. That’s why he came to earth. He

identifiedwithus,nottogiveusanexcusetosin,buttoshowusthewayout.HesatisfiedGod’swrathtowardsinsothatwemightexperiencehisgrace.LiveinGod’sgracetodayandlooktoChrist’sexampleforovercomingthetemptationsoflife.

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OSTOFUSGROWINGUPHADHEROES:GREATATHLETES,SUPERHEROES,PARENTSPERHAPS.Hebrewsadmonishesusto considerJesus (3:1).He is suggesting thatwe, instead

of looking to the world, put our thoughts on Christ. From a Jewish standpoint, theScriptureisnowcomparingJesustotheheroMoses,showingthatChristisevensuperiorto the one who received the Law. The reason is simple. While Moses was faithful, hisfaithfulnesspalesincomparisontoJesus.And that iswhy thewriter thenadmonishesus tohold fastandnothardenourhearts

towardGod.Whenyouaregoingthroughatoughtimeinlife,whenyourprayersseemtogounanswered,andwhenyoustrugglewiththedailydifficultiesofworkandfamily,itiseasy to harden your heart towardGod. That iswhen youmust look back to Jesus. Thepeoplewhoreceivedthisletterweretemptedtoturnbacktimeaftertime.Infact,HebrewsincludesfivewarningpassagesaboutrebellingandturningourbacksonGod(2:1-4;3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:14-29).Howdowe stay strong in timesof great difficulty?ConsiderJesus.Insteadoflookingatyourproblemsanddifficulties,rememberwhoheis,andtrustthefactthatheisalwaysfaithful.The Israelites,when they stood atKadeshBarnea, refused to trustGodbecause going

into the Promised Land (which represents stepping into the will of God) seemed toodifficult.Thereweregiants in the land.ThewriterofHebrewscalls forus to“encourageeachotherdaily”(3:13).It iseasytoteareachotherdown.ThewaythatweconsistentlystaystronginthislandofgiantsistotrustGodandtoencourageoneanothertodothesame.MakeJesusyourhero.

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ANYRELIGIONSPROVIDEAPRIEST,ONEWHO ISTHE“MEDIATOR”BETWEENADEITYANDHUMANBEINGS.

Inall religions, exceptone, thepriestor evenhighpriestwasmerelyahuman, sinful,frail,andinneedofforgiveness.TheoneexceptionisChrist.HeisidentifiedasourGreatHighPriest.Oneof the reasons thatwehavea secure salvation isbecausehe is theonewhobringsustoGod.HebrewsisfilledwithJewishimagery.Oneofthoseincrediblepicturesitpaintsisfound

rightherein4:14:“Ahighpriestwhohaspassedthroughtheheavens.”TheimageryherelooksbacktoanimportantdayinthelifeoftheJewscalledtheDayofAtonement.Onthatday, he offered a sacrifice for his own sins and also a separate one for the sins of thepeople.ThebloodofthatsacrificehadtobecarriedintotheinnersanctuaryoftheTempleknownastheHolyofHolies.Todosorequiredthatthepriestpassthroughthreeportals.First, he bore the blood through the door into the outer court. Second, he entered

anotherdoor into theHolyPlace.And third, he entered through the veil of theHolyofHolies.Thus, theancienthighpriesthada three-portaledentrance incomingbefore thethrice-holyGod—andhehadtodoityearafteryear.Jesus,asourgreathighpriest,afterhisonce-onlysacrificeforsinsonthecross,passed

“throughtheheavens.”Andtherehesatdown(somethingnohighpriesthadeverdone!)because his atoning work was finished. The reason your salvation is secure is becauseChristpaidtheultimatepriceandofferedtheonlycompleteandperfectsacrificenecessarytoprovideforgivenessforyoursins.

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SECONDARY THEME IN HEBREWS, THAT IS VERY MUCH CONNECTED WITH THE ISSUE OFCHRIST’SSUPERIORITY,ISTHENEEDFORBELIEVERSTOGROWUPINTHECHRISTIANFAITH.

Chapter5introducesustothesuperiorityofChristastheperfectPriest.Thekeyverseisverse9,“Afterhewasperfected,hebecamethesourceofeternalsalvationforallwhoobeyhim.” The JewishHigh Priestwould not only offer sacrifices for the people but also forhimself.Thereasonisbecausehehimselfwasimperfect.Jesus,however,istheperfecthighpriest.Pleasedonotmisunderstandverse9.ForJesus

tobeperfectedmeantnot thathebecameperfectbyhavinghisnature improved.Hewaseternallyperfectinholiness,wisdom,knowledge,andrighteousness.Hebecameperfectinthesensethathecompletedtheworknecessary forbecomingtheeternalHighPriest. Inotherwords,throughhissacrifice,heprovedtheeternalnatureofhispriesthood.Therefore,weasbelieversneedtostayfocusedonJesusandcontinuetogrowupinour

lives.EvenJesus,asaman,learnedobedience.Itbehoovesus,then,tostrivetobedeeperspiritually. The immature Christian, according to 5:11-14, does not love to study God’sWord, is unable to share God’s Word, does not understand the deep truths of God’sWord,andcannotuseGod’sWord.DonotbethatkindofChristian.Donotbeguiltyofthinkingthat thepastor’spreaching is toodeeporofbeingmorepassionateaboutyourteam’sboxscorethanyouareGod’sWord.LetusbethekindofChristianswhocommittogrowupspiritually.

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NEOFTHEMOSTDIFFICULTPARTSOFLIFEISLEARNINGTOTRUST,EVENLEARNINGTOTRUSTGOD.SOMEOFUSSTRUGGLEWITHTHATIDEA.

Hebrews introduces us to God’s answer about trust. God tells us exactly whywe cantrusthimineverything.Hebrews6:19says,“Wehavethishopeasananchorforourlives,safeandsecure.Itenterstheinnersanctuarybehindthecurtain.”Whenashipwouldcomeintoaharbor,ifthetidewaslow,theshipwouldbeunableto

passacross thesandbar thatwouldbebuilt toallowanaturalharbor toexist.Theshipwouldhavetowaituntilthetiderosetoentertheharbor.In preparation, the ship’s captain would send a small boat – a forerunner – with the

ship’sanchoronboard,becausethesmallboatcouldcrosstheshallowwatersofthesandbar and enter the harbor. Once arriving, the forerunner would drop the anchor in theharbor.When the tidebegan to rise, the shipwouldnaturallybepulledacross the sandbarintotheharbor.Stormsmightcomebeforehand,buttheshipwasstillsafebecauseitsanchorwasintheharbor.Christisidentifiedasbeingtheforerunner.Hehasgoneaheadofus.Hehascrossedthe

sandbarofdeathandhasenteredthesafeharborofheaven.Whenthetiderises,and itbecomestime foryoutocross thatsandbarofdeath,youwillnaturallyandeasilycrossoverbecauseyouranchorisalreadyintheharbor.Stormsmayriseoutinthisworldwhilewewaitforoursalvationtobefulfilled,butyoursalvationiscompleteandsecurebecauseChrist,ourForerunner,holdsouranchorandhassafelyplaceditintheharborofheaven.

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ANA PERSON LIVE FOREVER?DOWE JUST LIVE,DIE,ANDCEASETOEXIST,OR ISTHERESOMETHINGMORE?

In1493,PoncedeLeon traveledwithChristopherColumbusonhis second trip to theAmericas. Decades later, de Leon would make his own trips, traveling to what is nowPuertoRico,theFloridaKeys,andFlorida.TheonethingassociatedmostwithdeLeonishissupposeddesiretofindthefountainofyouth.Historically,there’snorealevidencethathismotivationfortravelingtoFloridawastomakethatdiscovery,butthestorymakesforgooddiscussion.TheclaimofChristianityisthateternallifeispossibleandthatwecanhaveasalvation

thatdoesnotend.ThereasonisbecauseofwhoJesusisandwhathehasdoneforus.Youhave to startwith the fact that salvation is all about Jesus – it startswithhim and endswithhim,andthereforethesalvationheoffersiscomplete.Lookat7:21,“TheLordhassworn,andhewillnotchangehismind.”Thischaracteristic

ofthenatureofGodhasalreadybeendiscussedinHebrews,buthere,thewriterremindsus again of this important concept – immutability.God does not change. Literally, the textsaysthatGodwillnotbechanged.HehasdeclaredthatChrist’spriesthoodandhisworkareeternalandbecauseofwhoGodisandthenatureofhischaracter,heisnotgoingtochangehismindwithregardtothosetwothings.In fact, in 7:22 we are told that Christ has become a guarantee of a better covenant.

Christisthecollateraltoshowthatoursalvationwillbepaidinfull.Hepromisesabettercovenant.AndGodwon’tchangehismindaboutthatfact!

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EWANDIMPROVEDISN’TALWAYSSOGREAT.REMEMBER“NEWCOKE?”IwonderiftheJewswerethinkingthesamething.ChristoffersaNewCovenant,

but how is it better than the Old Covenant? For the Hebrew Christians going throughpersecution,maybetheoldwayisbetterthanthenewway.WhenlivingtheChristianlifegetsdifficult,whatisitthatChristoffersthatremindsustokeepgoing?HebrewsdetailsthesuperiorityofChristagainstreligiousorganizationsandsystems.In

8:1-6, he has a superior ministry as our High Priest. Now in 8:7, the writer returns toChrist’s superiority in relation to the Law and theOld Testament covenant. Take carefulnotethatthequotationis fromJeremiah31:31-34. Jeremiah’sprophecyregardedIsrael’sreturntothePromisedLand,buthereyouseehowthetextspeaksofagreaterthingeventhanthat.TheprophecyofJeremiahisspeakingofthecomingofChrist–apromiseofanewCovenant.Godsaysthat,throughChrist,hewillbemercifultotheirwrongdoing,andIwillnever

againremembertheirsins.Mercy isawordthatmeanscompassiontoone inneedor inhelplessdistressordebt. It iswhatGodgivesusbecausewearehelplessandcannot fixtheproblemswehavecreatedbecauseofoursin.WhatHebrews tells us is that the relationshipwe havewithGod is real. That iswhat

Christhasdoneforus.LivingtheChristian life isworth it,withallof thecosts,becauseJesusbringsus intoagenuinerelationshipwithGod.Youmaybetemptedtodaytogiveupandgobacktoyouroldways,butdonotdoit.Jesusoffersrealrelationshipandrealforgiveness. Whatever it is in your life, when you come to God through Christ, heforgives.

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HEWORD“PERFECT”IS,INSOMANYCASES,OVERUSED.We hear it especially in sports. He made that pass perfectly; he hit the ball

perfectly;thatwasaperfectpitch.Tobeperfect,though,meanstobewithoutanyfaultortobe flawless.Aperfectpassmeans that it results in a touchdownevery time.Aperfectgolfshotmeansthatitresultsinahole-in-oneeverytime.Aperfectsacrificewouldmeanthatitofferssalvationandforgivenesscompletely.ThatisthesacrificemadebyChrist.Hissacrificesecuresusbecauseitisperfect.Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. One of the great accusations

against Christianity is the issue about blood.Many critics call Judaism and Christianitybloodyreligionsbecausesomuchemphasisisonthesheddingofblood.Christianity is filled with blood, because the blood of Christ is spoken of as

accomplishingforusthegrandbenefitsthatbelongtosalvation:Wehavebeenpurchasedby his blood (Acts 20:28).We have propitiation by his blood (Romans 3:25).We havebeen justified by his blood (Romans 5:9). We have redemption through his blood(Ephesians 1:7).Wewhowere afar off have been brought near by his blood (Ephesians2:13).Wehavepeacethroughhisblood(Colossians1:20).Ourconsciencesarepurifiedbyhisblood(Hebrews9:13).Wearesanctified throughhisblood(Hebrews13:12).Weareransomed by his blood (1 Peter 1:19). We have been set free from sin by his blood(Revelation 1:5). These and many other benefits remind us that the blood of Christ iscentral to all we are as a redeemed people. It should not be surprising then that, asrecipientsofGod’sgracioussalvationthroughthepersonandworkofChrist,wepreach,pray,andevensingofthewonderfulpoweroftheblood.

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HADA CONVERSATION RECENTLYWITH SEVERAL 20-SOMETHING YOUNGMEN. IASKEDHOWMANYOFTHEMHADDROPPEDOUTOFCHURCHAFTERHIGHSCHOOLANDTHENWHATBROUGHT

THEMBACK.OneoftheguyssaidthatheleftbecausehemisunderstoodChristianityas justasetof

rules,andifhecouldnotkeepthem,whatwasthepoint?IhaveafeelingthatalotofpeopleseeChristianityandtheChurchinthatlight.Let’sbe

honest, the Bible is filled with many admonishments for behavior, attitude, andexpectations.Whatkindoffaithwouldwehaveifitcarriednodemandsonus?Butwhatafrustrating faith it would be if God was asking us to do things that could never beaccomplished.GodwouldbeacruelGodtoexpectthingsofusknowingthattheycouldnotbedone.Sohedoesnotdothat.TheinterestingthingaboutbeingaChristianisthatGoddoesnotexpectanythingofus

forwhichhehasnotalreadyprovidedwhatisnecessarytomeetthatexpectation.Thatistheunderstandingof thecurtainbeingtorn.Christhasprovidedtheway forustoknowGod.ThreetimesthewriterofHebrewssaystous“letus,”encouragingustowhatwecandonowthatweknowChrist.What does God expect of you? It is really nothing outside of what he has already

provided for you. Jesusdiedon the cross, and indoing so, he removed thebarrier thatseparatedusfromGod.WecannowcomeintoGod’spresence,wecanlivetheChristianlife faithfully,andwecanencourageoneanother.SobewhatChristhasmadeyoutobe.Liveoutyourfaith.Anddonotgiveup.

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NEOFTHEMOSTCRITICALWORDSFORUSTOUNDERSTANDREGARDINGBOTHSALVATIONANDLIVINGTHECHRISTIANLIFEISTHEWORDFAITH.

InHebrews,thewordisusedonlytwiceasaverb,butitisused32timesasanoun,24timesinChapter11.Hebrews11:1-3giveusnotonlyadefinitionofwhatfaithisbutalsoa description of what faith does and how it works: “Now faith is the reality of what ishopedfor,theproofofwhatisnotseen.ForourancestorswonGod’sapprovalbyit.ByfaithweunderstandthattheuniversewascreatedbyGod’scommand,sothatwhatisseenhasbeenmadefromthingsthatarenotvisible.”Reality literally means to stand under or to support. Faith is to a Christian what a

foundationistoahouse.Itgivesconfidenceandassurance.Hopedforreferstotherewardof thegodly.Proofreferences conviction.Once somethinghasbeenproven, it becomes aconvictionofstronglyheldbeliefs.Therefore,webelievethatGodcreatedtheuniversebyhis simple utterance that it should exist. He created the world from nothing, not fromsomethingthatappearsorisvisible.Weareoftentoldthatfaithisareligiousvirtueorsuperstitionthathasnobasisinfact

for modern humanity. God, however, reminds us of the necessity of faith in the entireframeworkofour lives.Webelievebecausewechoose tobelieveGod,andwechoose tobelievewhatGodsays.Andwhenwedothat,itthenbecomesourconviction.

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HEPOINTOFTHISPASSAGEISTOENCOURAGEYOUNOTTOGIVEUPWHENYOUFACETRIAL,DIFFICULTY,ANDEVENDEATH.

We are reminded of many of the heroes of the faith including Enoch, Abraham, andMoses.Thepointof the finalpartof thechapter is tohelpusunderstandthat faithdoesnotalways leadtoanuntestedoreasy life.Oneof thestrikingemphases is the list fromGideon toDavid. Theseweremenwho exhibited faith andwere used ofGod even aftertheyhadexperienceddoubtandfailureintheirlives.Others are mentioned, not by name in particular, who experienced the victory of the

Lord. They subdued kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,quenched the violence of fire, and were made strong out of weakness. They still wentthroughthetrialsoflife,buttheylearnedvictorythroughtrial,notbyavoidingit.Still others did not find complete freedom from the troubles of life and the

consequences that accompany those difficulties. There were those moments that theyliterallyhad todie for the causeof their faith and refused todeny theirCreatorbecausetheyknewthataneternaldeliveranceawaitedthem.LivingtheChristianlifeiseasywhenwereceivethevictoryeveninspiteofourfailures.

It is tolerablewhenGodgivesusvictory throughour trials.Manyofus, though,donotunderstand the third category of suffering to the point of death. The Prosperity GospelpreacherscertainlydonotbelievethatChristianssuffer–butChristiansdo.RememberthattheultimatevictoryisinChristandintheeternallifethatheoffers.Let’s

allstrivetofollowtheexampleoftheheroesofthefaith.

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MAJORPARTOFLIVINGTHECHRISTIANLIFEISSTAYINGSTRONGINTHEFAITH,REGARDLESSOFTHEOBSTACLES.

Wefaceobstaclesinourspirituallives–whethertemptation,people,troubles,orcrisis.Theyareall there,allof thetime.Sohowdowepresson?That’swhereJesuscomes in.Becauseofwhathehasdone,henotonlyprovides thesecurityofour faithbutalso theenduranceneededforourfaith.WhatHebrewsencouragesustodoistokeepoureyesonJesusbecauseheisthesource

andperfecterofourfaith.Those twowordsare rich inmeaning.Source–sometranslationswill sayauthor. It is a

word thatmeanspioneerororiginator.He is theonewhobegins the raceand takes thelead.WhattheBibleissayingisthatJesusistheonewhoisthesourceofourfaith–allfaithbeginsinhimbutthathealsoistheexampleforfaith.

Temptedasweare,yetwithoutsin(Hebrews4:15)Temptationinthewilderness,yetheresisted(Matthew4)Asked,“letthiscuppass,”butwenttothecross.(Matthew26)

Tobe thePerfectermeans that he brings faith to its completion.He does so both by hisownexampleandbythefactthathebringsustothispoint.

Hewasobedienttothepointofdeath.(Philippians2:8)Itisfinished.(John19:30)HesatdownattherighthandofGod.(Hebrews12:2)

Everything that is necessary for you to live the Christian life ismade possible – not bywhatyoudo–butwhatChristhasdone.

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N1937,DIETRICHBONHOEFFERWROTE,“WHENCHRISTCALLSAMAN,HEBIDSHIMCOMEANDDIE.”

Littledidheknowhowtruethosewordswere.In1943,hewasimprisonedbytheNazis.On April 9, 1945, shortly before his concentration camp was liberated, Bonhoeffer wasexecutedforhisstandasaChristianagainstHitler.The book that Bonhoeffer wrote that included those words was entitled "The Cost of

Discipleship." In it, he attacked what he called cheap grace, a watered-down version ofChristianity that includes thepreachingof forgivenesswithoutrepentance,gracewithoutdiscipleship,gracewithoutthecross,andgracewithoutChrist,livingandincarnate.ThatistheconcernofthisfinalchapterofHebrews.Itisnotjustenoughtosaythatwe

are saved; our words must be backed with action. Hebrews, then, details the areas ofcompassion, marital fidelity, contentment, discipleship, distinctiveness, and sacrificialworshipthroughprayer,genuineness,praise,andChristianlivingasevidencesthatpointtothegenuinenessofaperson’sfaith.Whilewearenotsavedbyworks,wearecertainlycalledtolivealifeworthyofourfaith.Hereisagreatexample.DuringtheearlyyearsoftheChristianfaith,PlinytheYounger

wassenttofindfaultwiththeChristianssothattheymightbechargedandexecuted.Hisreport toTrajan theRoman emperor said, “Theybind themselvesby anoathnot to anycriminal end, but to avoid theft and robbery or adultery, never to break their word orrepudiate adepositwhencalledon to refund it.”They livedexemplary,moral lives.Theworldmayscoffatus,butonewaythatwerepudiatetheirchargesisbylivingoutwhatwebelieve.Thatiswhatgenuinefaithdoes.Itlivesitselfoutinouractions.

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NOVEMBER1James1:1-12

HARLES SHULTZ, THECREATOROF THECHARLIE BROWNCOMIC STRIPS,WROTEACOMICSTRIP INWHICH CHARLIE BROWN SAID THE FOLLOWING, “I THINK I'M AFRAIDOF BEING

HAPPY…BECAUSEWHENEVERYOUGETTOOHAPPYSOMETHINGBADALWAYSHAPPENS.”ToooftentodaymanyofusadoptamindsetlikeCharlieBrown.Weareafraidtoallow

ourselvestobejoyousbecausewearewaitingforsomethingbadtohappen.Jamesstartshisepistlebytellingusthatbadthingsaregoingtohappen in life,butwhenthethingshappenwecannotallowthemtostealourjoy.Jamescontinueshisthoughtbyexplainingthatthetrialsthatwefaceinlifebuildsteadfastnessorpatience.Thatpatienceonceithasreachedfulleffectwillallowustobe“perfectandcomplete,lackinginnothing”(1:4).Thetrials that we face daily can be numerous, whether they be difficulties, doubts,temptations, or enticements to sin.Unfortunatelymost of these trialswe encounterwillnot phone ahead to see if it is a convenient time. Their sudden presence in our livesdemands that we be prepared mentally, physically, and especially spiritually. Jameschallengesustochangeourperspectiveandnotdwellonthenegative,butinsteadfocusupon the positive. The apostle Johnwrote, “Little children, you are fromGod and haveovercomethem,forhewhoisinyouisgreaterthanhewhoisintheworld”(1John4:4).Father,guideustodaywithyourpresenceandallowustobejoyfulregardlessofthesituationsaroundus.

Today,Father,letusreflectonyourgreatness,majesty,andsplendorandallowthejoyofoursalvationtoputasmileonourface.

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NOVEMBER2James:1:13-21

LIPWILSONHADACOMEDYROUTINEWHEREHEDISCUSSEDHISBADDECISIONSANDSAIDAFTEREACHONE,“THEDEVILMADEMEDOIT.”

Satandoestemptbelievers(Matthew4),buthedoesnotmakeusdoanything,wehavetogiveintothetemptation.Toclarifythis,wechoosetosin.Jamesspeaksaboutdealingwith temptation and says that we are not to blame God when we are tempted, but heremindsusthatwhenwegiveintotemptationit isbecauseofourowndesire(1:13-14).JamesthenremindshisreadersthatallgoodthingscomefromGod.Godisnotinvolvedintheevil that iscommittedwhenwechosetosin,buthe is thesourceofourabilitytoresist temptation and sin. 1Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful, and hewill not letyoubetemptedbeyondyourability,butwiththetemptationhewillalsoprovidethewayofescape, thatyoumaybeable toendure it.”Temptation issomethingthateachoneuswill face daily, but thankfully it is something that the Lord has given us his strength toovercome.Father,leadustodaywithyourSpiritofpeaceandtruth.Todayletmebeabetterrepresentationofyour

graceandmercyuponthisworld.Todayhelpmetochoosetolovemyneighborratherthanthesinfuldesiresof my heart. Today as I interact with the world help me to put away all filthiness and receive yourmeekness.HelpmetostanduponyourWord,whichisabletosavesouls.

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AMES1:22“BUTBEDOERSOFTHEWORD,ANDNOTHEARERSONLY,DECEIVINGYOURSELVES,”REPRESENTSTHEHEARTOFTHEPROBLEMTHATHEISADDRESSINGWITHHISEPISTLE.Listening to theWord without actively applying it to your life is dangerous and self-

deceiving.TheApostlePaulstatesaverysimilaridea,“Foritisnotthehearersofthelawwho are righteousbeforeGod, but thedoers of the lawwhowill be justified.” (Romans2:13) This is a fundamental truth that we all must understand, our faith must bedemonstrated.Thisdoesnotmeantoactivelyattempttogetrecognitionforourfaith,butrather to simply look for those in need aroundus and findways to help, encourage, oruplift them through prayer. Kurt Richardson, a famous author says, “Genuine religionmeans that everything in the believer’s life is to bear themark of service toGod.” ThissummarizesthelastverseofChapter1whichremindsusto“keeponeselfunstainedfromtheworld.”(1:27)WemustremembertoallowJesustobetheonewholeavesamarkonourlivesandnottheworld.Father,todayweaskthatwebecomedoersoftheword,whichrequiresustomeditateonandstudyyour

word.Wepraytodaythatyouhelpustorememberyourwordwhichwehavehiddeninourhearts.Remindus of your commandments and help us to become peoplewho live their lives for you.Guide our steps,actions,thoughts,andwordstoday.Helpustobeobedienttoyourcallinginourlives,andmostofallhelpustoleadlivesthatdemonstrateyourgraceandforgiveness.Allowthisworldwhentheylookuponustoseeareflectionofyou.

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NOVEMBER4James2:1-7

HENWESHOWPREFERENCESTOWARDSOTHERSJAMESEQUALSTHATWITHBEINGJUDGESWITHEVILTHOUGHTSTOWARDSOTHERS.(2:4)

Jamesopenswithadirectcommandto“shownopartialityasyouholdthefaithinourLordJesusChrist,theLordofglory.”(2:1)Hethengivesusanexampleofarichmanandpoorman coming into the church and the richman being given preferential treatmentwhilethepoormanismadetostandofftotheside.Jamesremindsusthatwearetoshownopartialitytowardsourfellowman,regardlessoftheireconomicstatusortheirrace,sex,or religious leaning. These distinctions that we create between people only createdivisionsandanimositytowardsothers.Wemustremembertolookuponeachpersonnotbasedontheiroutwardappearanceortheirstatusinthecommunity,butwemustlookatthemastheLordlooksatthem.1Samuel16:7bsays“FortheLordseesnotasmansees:man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” We mustrememberthatitisnotourdutytojudgeortoshowpreferentialtreatmenttoothers,ourduty is to show the Lord’s love to all those that we encounter. John 13:34 “A newcommandmentIgivetoyou,thatyouloveoneanother:justasIhavelovedyou,youalsoaretoloveoneanother.”Fathertodayweaskthatyouhelpustoseetheworldasyouseeit,tolookuponpeopleasyouseethem.

WepraytodayLordthatyoumoldandshapeusintoyourimagetodayandhelpustoshowothersyouramazingloveandamazinggrace.

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OFULFILLSOMETHINGISTOCOMPLETEITINITSENTIRETYORTOPAYWHATONEISUNDEROBLIGATIONTOPAY.

“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love yourneighborasyourself,’youaredoingwell”(2:8).TodayJamesisofferingusanantidotetothe inappropriate thinking that we found in previous verses concerning the preferentialtreatmentofothers.Hecallsustoloveothersasweloveourselves.ButnoticethatJamessaidthatwemustreallyfulfillthelaw.Thisisnotsomethingthatwecandohalf-heartedlyoronlywhenthetimeisright.Wehavenotbeencalledtolovesomeofourneighbors,orto share the gospel with some of the people. We have been called to love all of ourneighborsandtosharethegospelwithallofthepeople.Aformerpastoranddearfriendofmineusedtotellme,“Allmeansallandthat’sall itmeans.” Jamesthencontinueshisexaminationof the royal lawand tells the reader that“Forwhoeverkeeps thewhole lawbutfailsinonepointhasbecomeguiltyofallofit”(2:10).Thesearesomberwordsforus,foreachofushasviolatedonepartofGod’scommandmentsatsomepoint inour lives.Howeverthereishope,andthatisfoundinGod’smercytowardsus.Mercytriumphsoverjudgment(2:13).Eventhoughwedeserveseverejudgmentuponourlives,weareforgivenbyJesus’sacrificeonthecrossandwecanrejoicethatmercytriumphsoverjudgment.Father,todayweaskthatyouhelpustoseeyourmercyandhelpshowyourmercythatwasfoundonthe

crosstoallthatwemeettoday.

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YWIFEANDIRECENTLYDECIDEDTOPLANTAGARDENINOURBACKYARDTOALLOWOURSMALLCHILDRENTOSEEHOWFRUITSANDVEGETABLESGROW.

Weeachdecidedtopickoneofourfavoritefruitsandvegetablestoplant.Mysonchosewatermelon andwas very excited aswe placed the vine in the garden and gave it somefertilizerandwater.Mysonrunsoutandchecksonhiswatermelonplantalmosteverydayand he cannot wait to taste the watermelon that he grew himself. There are twocomponents to our faith, the actual faith itself which is like the vine of thewatermelonplant,andourworkswhichistheactualfruitthatthevineproduces.Bothareneededforthefruittobeproducedtoitsfullest.Ifawatermelondoesnotgrowandbecomeedible,youdonotexaminethefruit,butyoulookatthevineandseeifsomeparasiteordiseaseisaffectingit.Wemustbeverycarefulandlookatourfaithanditsworksdaily,justasmysondoeswhenhegoestothegardenandchecksonhiswatermelonvines.It iseasiertoremovesomesmallparasiteordiseaseinitsearlieststagesbeforeitcriticallydamagesthevine.Wemustmake sure that our faith is built upon the leading of theHoly Spirit andalignsitselfwiththeWordofGodinorderforittoproducethesweetestfruit.“Forasthebodyapartfromthespiritisdead,soalsofaithapartfromworksisdead”(2:26).Father,todayweaskyoutohelpustobefruitinspectors,toexamineourlivesandseeifthereisany

sicknessorparasitesthataredamagingourfaithordestroyingourfruit.

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OWMANYTIMESHAVEYOUTHOUGHT,IWISHIDIDNOTSAYTHAT?FARTOOOFTENWESAY SOMETHING INANGERORFRUSTRATIONTHAT ISHURTFULANDWEWISHWECOULD

TAKEITBACK.Jamesexaminesourtongueandcomparesittoafire.“Andthetongueisafire,aworld

of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body,settingonfiretheentirecourseof life,andsetonfirebyhell”(3:6). Idon’tknowaboutyou,but those last fivewords sent shiversdownmyback as I read them.Set on firebyhell,itisquitescarytothinkthatapartofourbodyisnotonlyasourceofevilwithinourbodies,butthatisgetsitsfueldirectlyfromapitofdarknessthatwascreatedforallofthedemonsintheuniverse.Jamesremindsusthatwewillneverbeabletotameourtongues,but he encourages us to examine the words that we speak and see if they are fresh orbitterwater(3:10-11).JesusstatedsomethingverysimilarinMark7:15,saying,“Thereisnothingoutsideapersonthatbygoingintohimcandefilehim,butthethingsthatcomeoutof aperson arewhatdefilehim.”Wemust remember to chooseourwords carefullyandnotallowourselvestobecontrolledbyourtongues.Father,todayweaskthatyougiveusyourwordstospeak,weaskforyoutocontrolourtonguesforwe

arenotable,weaskthateverywordthatisspokentodaybringsyouallthegloryandhonorthatyouaredue.

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OHNMACARTHURONCESAIDTHATHEWAS“WORKINGREALHARDTOBESTUPID.”Hewasdiscussinghowhewas reading theBible andhe realized thathe couldnot

rememberwhathehadreadthreeorfourdaysago,ithadfadedfromhismemory.Manyof us can relate to that feeling, I personally struggle to remember what I read thatmorningattimes.TheBibleisfullyequippedwithGod’swisdom,butwemustrememberwhatwereadandmakeitapartofourdailylives.IfwearesimplyreadingtheBibletosaythatwe read the Bible today, then it is a futile exercise.However if we are reading ourBible everyday so that we can grow closer into an image of Jesus, then it is time wellspent.“ThelawoftheLordisperfect,revivingthesoul;thetestimonyoftheLordissure,makingwisethesimple”(Psalm19:7).Adifferenttranslationtranslatesthelastsectionas“histeachingslastforever,andtheygivewisdomtoordinarypeople”(CEV).TheBibleisthewisdomthatisfromaboveanditis“firstpure,thenpeaceable,gentle,opentoreason,fullofmercyandgoodfruits,impartialandsincere”(3:17).Thiswisdomisnotforselectindividualsbut foreachandeveryoneofustoday.Today let’s trulyallowGod’swordtoimpactourlivesandallowhiswisdomtoleaduseverywherewego.Father, today letus reflect onyourword, letus remember your teachings, and remindus tonot seek

worldlywisdombuttoalwaysseekyourdivinewisdomfirst.

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NOVEMBER9James4:1-6

REMEMBERTHEFIRSTTIMEANARGUMENTBROKEOUTATACHURCHBUSINESSMEETING.FORTHELIFEOFMEICANNOTREMEMBERWHATTHEFIGHTWASABOUT,BUTICLEARLYREMEMBER

THEATTITUDESANDACTIONSOFMANYOFTHE“MATURE”CHRISTIANS.Iaskedthepastorlaterifallthebusinessmeetingswentlikethat,hesmiledandsaidnot

every time but they occasionally get that spicy. James addresses Christian infighting inChapter4bylookingattherootoftheproblem.Hestatesthattheexternalbehaviorofabeliever is adirect reflectionof the inner conditionof thatbeliever.This inner conditioncausesustolashoutangrilyatothers,itcausesustofightandtowarwitheachother,andit causes us to damage our fellowship with other believers. God would rather us tohumbleourselves.Micah6:8 tellsus, “Hehas toldyou,Oman,what is good; andwhatdoestheLordrequireofyoubuttodojustice,andtolovekindness,andtowalkhumblywithyourGod?”InorderforustowalkhumblywithGod,wemustcalmtheinnerturmoilthat rages inside of us, we must seek peaceful solutions with others when we have adisagreement, and we must put aside our selfish pride before it causes us to stumble.MartinLutheroncewrote,“Godcreatesoutofnothing.Thereforeuntilamanisnothing,Godcanmakenothingoutofhim.”Father,todayweaskyoutohelpustohumbleourheartsandseekafteryourgrace.Weaskthatyouquiet

ourmindsandcalmourheartsandtoseektheincreaseofallthosearoundusratherthanjustourselves.Weaskyoutofilluswithyourgoodnesssothatitwilloverflowintothisworld.

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AMESREFERSTOHISREADERSASDOUBLE-MINDED INVERSE8.WHATEXACTLYMADETHEMDOUBLE-MINDED?TheywantedbothGod and theworld.Theywanted tohave all sinful pleasures of the

world, the acceptance of the world, to fit into the world, all while maintaining arelationshipwithGod.Thiscreatesaturmoilinourlivesthathassevereconsequencesforus if leftunchecked. Jamesgivesusanantidote forthisturmoil.HetellsustosubmittoGod unconditionally (4:7), draw near to God, (4:8) and humble ourselves before God(4:10).Allofthisiseasiersaidthandone,butitisnotimpossible.TheprocessthatJamesisspeakingofisnotonethatcanbemasteredovernight;itisonethatmustbeworkedateach and every day. A friend of mine decided to get into shape and he set the goal ofrunning a half marathon in one year’s time. He did not immediately go out and startrunning13milesaday,hestartedslow.Hebeganrunningtwomilesaday,afteramonthheincreasedtothree.Eachmonthheincreasedhisdistanceheranandeventuallywithinayear’stimehisbodyandmindwasaccustomedtorunninglongdistances.Webattleourdouble-mindednessinthesameway.Wesetagoalandweslowlymovetowardsthatgoal.Thecloserwegettothegoalthefurtherouroldpositiongetsfromus.AswedrawnearertoGod,hewilldrawnearertousandwewillleavethedesiresofthissinfulworldbehindus.Father,helpustodaytolamentandmournoverourdouble-mindedness.Today,Lord,weaskthatyou

helpustoputeverythingintotherightperspective,withyouintheforefrontofourthoughts,words,andactions.

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PEAKINGEVILABOUTANOTHERPERSONHASBECOMEASTANDARDINMANYREALITY-BASEDTELEVISIONSHOWSTODAY.

Therearenumerousshowsdevotedtoexaminingthefashionofcelebritiesandmakingcomments about the choice in clothes. There are programs on television that consist ofpeoplesittingaroundspeakingaboutothersandvoicingtheiropinionaboutpeople.Itiseasy tocriticizeothers, it iseasy tositon thesidelinesandspeak rudecommentsaboutthoseon the field, it is easy to complain about the cars that aredriving aroundus.TheBibletellsusthatwearenottospeakevilofothersandthatwhenwedowearejudgingthat individual (4:11). James goes a step further with that thought and asks a verypoignantquestion,Butwhoareyou to judgeyourneighbor (4:12)?Wemust rememberthateveryonehasflawsthattheyareworkingon,andit isnotour jobto judgethemforthose flaws.Whenmy wife and I started attending church we were very judgmental ofothers, itwas a trait thatwedidnotwant.Oneparticular Sunday thepastorpreached amessageonMatthew7:3,“Youcanseethespeckinyourfriend’seye,butyoudon’tnoticetheloginyourowneye.”Wedecidedtohelpeachotherwithourproblemandanytimewe judged someone else,wewould simply look at theother one and say “Log!”After amonth we noticed that we stopped judging others and started to look morecompassionately towards people and their predicaments. Today let’s start to help othersratherthanjudgingthem.Father, you are the ultimate judge of this universe. I am not qualified to judge others. Help me to

rememberwhoIaminyoursightandtolookatothersasyouseethem.

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HEBIBLEHASMANYWARNINGSAGAINSTBELIEVERSPURSUINGWEALTHANDJAMESHASAVERYSIMILARMESSAGEFORUSTODAY.

InMatthew6:24itsays,“Noonecanservetwomasters,foreitherhewillhatetheoneand love the other, or hewill be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannotserveGodandmoney.”Thisisaverystrictwarningthatisgiventoustomakesurethatwedonotallowtheaccumulationofwealthtobecomethedrivingforceofourlives.ThedrivingforceofourlivesshouldbeJesus.Wealsomustrememberthatmoneyisnotevil;howeveritistheloveofmoneythatistherootofallevil(1Timothy6:10).Moneycanbeused for many wondrous things: feeding the hungry, getting school supplies for needychildren,keepingtheelectricrunningatthelocalhomelessshelter.Allofthoseitemstakemoney and it takes charitable giving to accomplish those goals. However we mustremember that charitable giving without an honest and humble intention is just asdangerous.Matthew6:2-4warnsus“Thus,whenyougivetotheneedy,soundnotrumpetbefore you, as thehypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that theymaybepraisedbyothers.Truly,Isaytoyou,theyhavereceivedtheirreward.Butwhenyougivetotheneedy,donotletyourlefthandknowwhatyourrighthandisdoing,sothatyourgivingmaybeinsecret.AndyourFatherwhoseesinsecretwillrewardyou.”Father,todaycreate inuscharitableheartsthatdonotseekrecognitionforourcharitablegiving,but

ratheronesthatlookforopportunitiestodemonstratetoothersyourmercyandyourhelpinghands.

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GOODFRIENDOFMINEWHO ISMYSUNDAYSCHOOLTEACHERHASA JOKEABOUTPATIENCETHATHEUSESWHENHETEACHES.

He jokingly says, “Lord give me patience and give it to me now.” He uses this todemonstrate that we often lack patience in the times when we need it themost. Jamesstartsoffverse7bytellinghisreadersto“bepatient,therefore,brothers,untilthecomingoftheLord.”Jamesknowsthatpatienceissomethingthatmanyofusstrugglewithandheprovidesuswiththreeexamplestoencourageus:thefarmerwhoiswaitingonhiscrops,theprophetswhospoketoIsraelinyearspast,andJob.ThereisnobetterexampleintheBible of suffering than Job, however through everything that happened to Job, heneverforsookhis faith inGod.That iswhatproducespatience.Patience isnot something thatcan be learned from reading a book or from taking a class. It is something that can beonlygainedthroughpersistentpractice.Jamesgivesussomepointerstorememberwhilewelearnhowtobepatient.Thefirstisdonotgrumble(5:9)FormepersonallyIlosemypatiencewhen I am stuck in a traffic jam, I often findmyself grumbling or complainingabouthowlateIamgoingtobe.Wemustrememberthatthesesmalllittleinconveniencesare there to build up our patience and help us to gain this wonderful godly attribute.“Loveispatientandkind; lovedoesnotenvyorboast; it isnotarrogant”(1Corinthians13:4).Father,todayhelpmetobecomemorepatientandhelpmetogrowevenclosertowardstheperfectionof

yourlove.

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RAYERISONEOFTHEMOSTAMAZINGGIFTSTHATWEHAVEBEENGIVENBYGOD.Weweregivenadirectlinetohimthatcanbeusedanytimeofthedayandwithno

connection charges. But unfortunately it is one of the biggest weaknesses within theaverage church today. In his book Autopsy of a Deceased Church, Thom Rainer, afterexamining all of the items that lead churches to close their doors, offers the followingconclusion,No Prayer,NoHope. The lack of prayer led to the lack of hope and this iswhat caused the various churches examined by Thom Rainer to decline and eventuallyclose.TodaythefinalsectionofJamesremindsusoftheimportanceofprayersandtellsusthat “theprayerof a righteouspersonhasgreatpoweras it isworking” (5:16).There ispeace found in prayer, there is compassion found in prayer, there is wisdom found inprayer, andmost importantly forgiveness found in prayer. Jesus knew the importance ofprayerandisrecordednumeroustimesinthegospelstobefoundpraying.Probablythemostmemorableoccurrencewashisprayer in theGardenofGethsemane. Jesuswent toprayandwhenhereturnedhefoundthedisciplessleepingandhesaidtothem,“So,couldyounotwatchwithmeonehour?Watchandpraythatyoumaynotenterintotemptation.Thespiritindeediswilling,butthefleshisweak”(Matt26:40-41).Today spend some time praying for your pastor and other leaders of the church. Pray

thathopeneverleavesthehallsofthechurchandthatthedoorsremainopensothatthegoodnewsofthegospelcanbeproclaimedtoaworldthatdesperatelyneedstohearit.

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NOVEMBER15James4:7

AMESWROTEHISEPISTLEANDDECIDEDTONOTFOCUSONPROCLAMATIONOFJESUS’NAME,BUTRATHERTHEAPPLICATIONOFCHRISTIANPRINCIPLESINTHEEVERYDAYLIVESOFCHRISTIAN

BELIEVERS.The book of James is a unique epistle of the Bible. It addresses some of the biggest

stumbling blocks forChristians, however it does not speak directly about Jesus and theatoningsacrificethathemadeonthecross.Jameswrotehisepistletohelpthechurchofhis day to become a church that moved beyond mere words and become one whoseactionsglorifiedGod.Thisissomethingthat isstillneededforustoday.“Littlechildren,letusnotloveinwordortalkbutindeedandintruth”(1John3:18).Jamesisabookthatisacalltoactioninourlivestoday.ThevictoriousChristianlifeisonethatislivedinfulldisplay for others to see.Our actions should bringhonor and glory toGod and shouldallowotherstoseetheHolySpirit’sinfluenceuponus.WewillfacetemptationseverydaybutGodhasgivenustheabilitytoovercomethosetemptationsandtonotactuponthem.“Submit yourselves therefore toGod.Resist thedevil, andhewill flee fromyou” (James4:7).Ifyouwanttoexperiencevictoryovertemptation,submityourselvestoGod.GrowinyourBibleknowledge,buildastrongerrelationshipwithChrist,andputintopracticethethingsthatyouhavelearned.Father, todayweaskthatyouguideourstepsaswewalkthroughthisworld,allowustobeabetter

imageofyouforotherstosee.Allowyourlighttoshinethroughustodaytohelpthisdarkworldseeyou,ourSavior.

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NOVEMBER161Peter1:1-2

STHISWONDERFULLETTERBEGINS,WECANPICTURETHEOLDFISHERMANHIMSELF.Aged and worn, Peter tearfully addresses and shares the intent of his letter to

peoplewhowerenot athome in thisworld.The important thing forus toknow is thatthey were going through a time of suffering and persecution. At least 15 times in thisletter, Peter referred to suffering. Some of these Christians were suffering because theywerelivinggodlylivesanddoingwhatwasgoodandright.Peterwrotetoencouragethemtobegoodwitnessestotheirpersecutors,andtorememberthattheirsufferingwouldleadtoglory.Recentlyonamissiontriptoathirdworldcountrythattooktwodaysofconstanttravel

togettherefromWestVirginia,somethingdawnedonmeasIlaiddownthateveningtosleep.IwasnothomeandcouldnotgethomefromwhereIwas,evenifIwantedto.ThethoughtoccurredtomeforthefirsttimeinmylifethatIcouldnotgethome.IhadneverbeentoaplacethatIcouldnotgohome.Ittrulymademehomesick.Tothesewhowerehomesickforheaven,Petercallsthem“strangers”(1:1),whichmeans

residentaliensorsojourners.Theywere“calledout”and“setapart”byasovereignGodforministry.ThegreatcomfortforthesepeoplewhowerecitizensofheaventhroughfaithinChristwasthat theywerenotpermanentresidentsonearth.Theywerenothomeyet.They were in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16). No matter where we findourselvesasChristians,rememberthatwearenothomeinthisworld,butweareonlyonebreathawayfrombeinghomeforeverinheaven.

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IGNIFICANTLY,BEFOREPETERCONTINUESHISLETTER,HERISESTOPRONOUNCEABLESSINGONGOD.

Peterdoesn’timmediatelywriteaboutdifficultcircumstances.Neitherdoeshetellthemhowtoconductthemselveswhilelivinginanevilworld.Hecallsuponreaderstomakeadecidedanddeterminedprayerofpraise.Hedescribes the incomparablepossessionswehaveinthatabidingrelationshipwiththeFather,Son,andHolySpirit.First,wecanrejoicebecausewehavea“livinghope.”BelieversinJesusChristhavebeen

“bornagain”toa livinghopebecauseofChrist’sresurrectionfromthedead.Second,wecan rejoice in suffering because we have a permanent inheritance. Your heavenlyreservations are purchased by the blood of Christ and confirmed by his gloriousresurrection.Third,wecanrejoiceinsufferingbecausewe“areprotectedbythepowerofGod.”Nomatterhowseverethepersecution,youandIwillnevergetlostintheprocess.God’shandofcomfortandstrengthwill remainwithus.God is incontrolandhe isall-powerful,all-good,andall-knowing.Fourth,wecanrejoiceinthemidstoftrialsbecausethey produce a growing, strengthening faith. Christians can rejoice through times ofsufferingbecausewehaveconfidence in theunseenpowerofChrist.WeseeChristmostclearlyintimesoftrial.Finally,wecanrejoiceinsufferingbecausethesalvationofoursoulsisguaranteed.God

has thepower to saveusphysically through trials; but evenwhenourbodies eventuallysuccumbtodeath,oursoulsare faithfullydelivered, justaspromised.Whatamarveloussalvation! It not only guarantees an inheritance for us in the future, but also providesinexplicablefaith,hope,andjoyinthepresent.

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HROUGHOUTHISTORYCHRISTIANSHAVERESPONDEDTOTHEQUESTIONOF“HOWCANILIVEAHOLYLIFE?”WITHALLSORTSOFEXTREMES.

Somehaveadoptedahermitmentalityofhidingincavesandlivinginsolitude.Othershavemodeledamonkmentalityofdwellingonlywithbelieversinaclose-knitcommunityandaway fromtheworld’s reach.Eachapproach fallsunder the ideaof sanctificationbyisolationorwithdrawingfromtheworldtokeepitfromrubbingoffonthem.Instead of isolation, the old fisherman calls for insulation. He tells them to make a

difference intheworldbybeingdifferent in theworld.PeterwantsustosetourhopeonthegracethatistobebroughttousattherevelationofChrist.Hehasshownusthetwodistinguishingmarksofthosewhoaredoingsoareahealthy

mindandaholy life.Believershaveamission toaccomplishandwecan’t afford to lockourselvesoutsideoftheworld.OursalvationisallofGod.Heplannedit,heaccomplishedit through the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, and hesovereignly has given it to us. Our faith and hope are in God. Human traditions andidolatrous religionsoffernothing.Hopecanbe foundonlywith faith inGodwhoraisedChristfromthedead.This was Peter’s own experience as he saw first the empty tomb and then the living

Lord. This iswhy Peter challenges us to be different fromour depraved societywithoutrunningorhidingfromit.

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NOVEMBER191Peter1:22-2:3

NTHENIGHTCHRIST INSTITUTEDTHELORD’SSUPPER,HETOLDHISDISCIPLES,“BYTHISALLMENWILLKNOWTHATYOUAREMYDISCIPLES,IFYOUHAVELOVEFORONEANOTHER”

(JOHN13:35).Sadly, we are not always known for our love and support for one another. Instead of

being loyal and fiercely committed toeachother,we tend to look forways to teardownratherthanbuildup.Petercallshisreadersnottodothat.Thoughscatteredbypersecutionandattackedon

allfronts,theyneedtopulltogetherandfindstrengthineachother’scompany.BelieversinGodareredeemedfromtheiremptyandguiltypast;theyareboundtotheirLordandto one another.Growth inholiness produces devotion toGod and love of the brethren.PeterthereforeexhortsChristianstoloveoneanother.Peterofferssomevitalthoughtsonunityandgrowthwithinthebody.Somefelttempted

toconform, compromise,orgiveupaltogether.But thatwiseold fishermanandapostletellsthemthatlifeisveryshortandprescribesaneasilyoverlookedremedyforthediseaseofdiscouragementanddespair:thetruthandloveofGod.The evils from which Christians have been converted are the very opposite of the

determined love thatPeterhaspressedupon them.Peter firstmentionsevil inageneralsense.Thenhelistsdeceit,hypocrisy,jealousy,anddefamation.Thoseareeasilyidentifiedaspoisons in life!YetChristianshavebeendelivered from those thingsby thepowerofthegospelandhavecastthemaway.Christianscanandwillgrow.ThesametruthofGodthatgavethembirthalsonourishesthem.ChristiansmustdesiretheWord.

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ETERNOWBEGINSTOPAINTVITALPICTURESTOENCOURAGEHISREADERSTOBEFAITHFUL.WeknowthatChrististhelivingstone,apreciouscornerstone,andthatthosewho

rejecthimareboundtotripandfall.Butwhataboutthosewhobelieve inhim?Hecallsthem“livingstones”whoare“beingbuiltupasaspiritualhouse.”Christisintheprocessofbuildinghischurch,withthosedeadstonesdugfromthepitofsin,broughttolifeas“livingstones,”andthen fit intohisgloriousstructure.EachtimesomeonetrustsChristassavior,anotherstonegetsplacedintothatliving,growingchurch.YourepresentavitalpartofGod’splan.Neverunderestimateyourimportantpartinthe

communityofChrist.NotonlyarewelivingstonesinGod’sspiritualhouse,butweare“aholy priesthood” called “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through JesusChrist.”Yourcommitment toabstain fromthe impulsesanddesiresof the flesh isbaseduponyourtrue identity inChrist.Yourtrue identity isanchoredinheaven. Itspulluponyoushouldbeirresistible.Youdon’tbelongtothisworldanymore.Wearetobeapeoplewhofillourliveswithgoodthings.Thisactionismanifestedinsubmission.Forpeople inourday, this isstartling. It isascounterculturalasonecanget.Yet, for

Peter,thegoodandhonorableworkoftheChristianisnothingif it isnotsubmissiontoauthority. Submission defines the Christian’s ways because “being like the Savior”describes theChristian.Peterwantsus to follow in the footstepsof Jesus.Wearenot toanswersinwithsin.ChristianswillinglysubmitthemselvestopeopleinauthoritybecausewedesireourlivestobepleasingtoJesusalone!

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ETERNOWGETSVERYPERSONALWITHHISENCOURAGEMENTTOTHECHURCH.Aweddingisonething;amarriageissomethingcompletelydifferent.Havingbeen

marriedmanyyears,toabeautiful,amazingwoman,Ihavemovedfrombeinganidealistto a realist. Our decades of marriage have been years of learning and growth. Theseexperienceshavemadeourmarriagestronger.Peterwas amarriedman. In fact, hiswife accompaniedhimonmany of his travels (1

Corinthians9:5).Peterknew firsthand the strugglesof allmarried couples.Peter’s focuson Christian marriage is set in the midst of believers living in a hopeless and hostileworld.PeterlookstoJesus,throughwhomwecanhavehopeinhurtfultimes.Thecontextof marital harmony has to do with the ability to live in an unfair and even unbearablesituation. Almost all marriages go through recurring periods that are difficult to bear.Peteraddressesthiskindofmaritalstruggle,offeringhopethroughfollowingtheexampleofthegodly.PeterusesSarah,thewifeofAbraham,asanexampleofsubmissionandharmony.Sarah

was someone who demonstrated a “gentle and quiet spirit,” but she was not what wewouldcallawallflower.Shewasastrongandrealwoman.TheScripturesportrayherfaithandlifeaspreciousandbeautiful.Peterthenremindshusbandsthattheirwivesarefellowheirswiththemofthegraceof

life.Theyareequalpartnersandpartakersof theglory that is tobe revealedon the lastday. As such, they should be treated with respect and dignity. A man’s motivation forcarefulstewardshipofmarriageis foundattheendofverse7,“sothatyourprayersmaynotbehindered.”

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AVINGFINISHEDHISDEMANDINGSECTIONONTHEDIFFICULTWORKOFSUBMISSION,PETERISAWARETHATHISREADERSWILLNEEDENCOURAGEMENT.

Peter encourages Christians to get on with the difficult work of gracious living. Heknowshisreaderswillneedstrengthiftheyaretobattlewiththeworldweekafterweek.ToaccomplishthisgoalPeterexhortsthemtobeablessing.Peter explains that our ability to continue living graciously rests in a proper

understanding of our calling, and our calling is to be a blessing. Peter names fivecharacteristicsof the life thatbringsblessing: like-mindedness, sympathy,brotherly love,compassion, andhumility.Thesearenotvirtues chosenat random.These characteristicsreflectthegrace,love,andcompassionofJesusChrist.There are two results that come from being a blessing. The first is a life that gives

opportunities forGod’s people tomake a defense for the hope that is in them.Wewillhave plenty of opportunities to speak about Christ. The second is an opportunity toexplain why we are suffering. People will be wondering how we patiently endure pain.Whenasked,wecanexplainthereasonforthehopethatisinus.Withallgentlenessandrespect,wecantellothersthatwearelookingforGodtoraiseusupinhisgoodtime.Wedon’texpecttoreceiveanybettertreatmentthanJesusreceived.The result of our obedience is the reward we will receive in the last day. God will

vindicateusonthatday.LeaveroomforGod’sjudgment.Endureandbeencouraged.Youhavebeencalledtobeablessing.

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HIS IS A DIFFICULT PASSAGE. WE KNOW JESUS WAS VICTORIOUS AND COMPLETELYVINDICATED.READERSAREENCOURAGEDWITHTHECERTAINANDFIXEDTRUTHTHATINTHE

ENDTHOSEWHOAREINCHRISTWILLWIN.What,then,didJesusdoontheSaturdaybetweenhisdeathandresurrection?Peter tellsus that Jesus“madeproclamation to thespiritsnow inprison” (3:19).Who

are the spirits he mentions? Peter says these were the spirits of those who were oncedisobedient in the days ofNoah (3:20). In fact, Peter’s language and narrative reflect acommonunderstandingamong JewsandearlyChristians,basedonanormal readingofGenesis 6:1–4. According to that account, prior to the flood of Noah, fallen angels(demons)sinnedgravelybycohabitingwithhumanwomen.WhenPeterwrotethatNoahandhis familywere“savedbywater,”hewascarefultoexplainthatthis illustrationdoesnot imply salvation by baptism. Baptism is a picture of that which does save us, “theresurrectionofJesusChrist”(3:21).Thebodyplacedinwater,cannotremovethestainsofsin.OnlythebloodofJesusChristcandothat(1John1:7–2:2).The point Peter is making is that suffering can be one’s greatest triumph. The main

thrust of the text is the faithfulwill get through thewaters of this life. Indeed, like theeightwhosurvivedGod’sjudgmentbackthen,everyoneinChristshallbeleftstandingonthelastday.BeencouragedwithChrist’svictory.Wewhoarelivingduringtheselastdaysknowweshallbevindicatedforstayingthecourse.Christwasvindicated,andyoushallbetoo.Christisvictoriousandsoareyou.

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HROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT WE READ OF THE CHANGED LIFE THAT FOLLOWSGENUINECONVERSION.

WhenGodfreelyandfullyforgivesthesinsofourformerlife,whentherighteousnessofChrist iscredited toouraccount,andtheSpiritofGodtakesupresidence inourhearts,theoldthingspassawayandallthingsbecomenew(2Corinthians5:17).Peter’spointisclear. Christ has not sent us into the world as spectators but as participators of God’sgrace.We need to arm ourselves with spiritual armor to withstand the temptations of this

world (Ephesians6:10–18).Peter says if youhavebeen conformed toChrist’sdeathandresurrection, thenthepowerofsinhasbeenbroken(4:1).Hegivesus fourremindersofour new condition that will help us arm ourselves with the righteousness necessary tofightwellagainsttemptationandsinduringourtimeinthishostileworld:Wenolongerservesinasourmaster(4:1),wedon’tspendourdaysoverwhelmedbydesires(4:2a),wehave opened the door to thewill ofGod (4:2b), andwe have closed the door on sinfulliving(4:3).Peter’slifeconsistedofpracticalthingssuchasboats,nets,fish,hardwork,family,and

the real life.We shouldn’tbe surprised todiscoverhisdirectmindset inhiswriting.Hesaystolove,bekind,andminister.Truthwasmeanttobelived,notsimplytalkedaboutandthenignored.WhenPetertookuphispentowritealettertosufferingsaints,hewentstraight to thebasics.Urgency led tosimplicity.Hedidn’tgetboggeddownspeculatingabout the hows, whens, and wheres of the end times, but he focused instead on thequestion, “How does it help me today?” He answered this bottom-line question bycommandingthechurchtoglorifyChrist.

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ETERWANTSUS TO SEE THAT SEASONSOFDIFFICULTY AREUNIQUE TIMESWHEN GOD’SSMILEANDAPPROVALAREESPECIALLYONUS.

Peterwrote his letter toChristianswho faced desperate circumstances.He revisits thetruthofhopeandpain, twocompetingrealitiesworkingtogether towardagreatclimax.Peter comfortshis readers in themidstof their fieryordeal.He reminds themnot tobesurprised at their difficult circumstances (4:12). Instead, they are exhorted to keeprejoicing(4:13),entrusttheirlivestoGod(4:19),andcasttheirworriesonhim(5:7).Peterencouragesallofus to focusonGod’sgrace, torejoice,andturnourattentiontowardafirmhopethroughfaith.So, in this grand finale of a great symphony of hope, we see Christ himself as the

composerandconductorofour lives,oursure foundationofhope inhurtful times.Takeheart!IfGodisputtingyouthroughaseasonofsuffering,hehasadesireforabundancein your future. If you are still discouraged, read what Peter says about unbelievers andsinners. If sitting under God’s judgment is difficult for us now, what will it be like forunbelieverswhentheystandbeforeGodathisreturn?TrustGod.Heknowswhatisbestfor you. Like Spurgeon, learn to say, “I have learned to kiss the wave that strikes meagainsttheRockofAges.”“Do not be surprised as though something strange were happening to you” (4:12).

ManyofusstrugglewithGodduringtimesof trials.Wewonderwherehehasgone.Wewonderifhestillcaresforus.Wefeelabandonedinourhourofneed.TheexaltedtruthinourtimeoftestingisthatGod’sgloryisrestingonus.Heisguardingandguidingus.Beencouraged!

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HOSEWHOLEADANDTHOSEWHOARELEDSHOULDSHOWHUMILITY.INTHEFIRESOFTRIAL,THESHEPHERD’SLEADERSHIPGAINSIMPORTANCE.

PeterisChrist’sapostle,calledtobeashepherdoftheflockoftheLord,buthisministrywill soon be over. He addresses those whomust continue to feed and guard the flock.They are fellow elders called by the Lord to exercise oversight in his church. They havereceivedthewitnessoftheapostlesandwiththemtheyconfessJesusChrist.TheimageoftheflockisoftenusedintheBibleandit isaveryinstructiveone.Sheep

tend to flock together and God’s people need to be together. Sheep are notoriouslyignorant and prone to wander away if they do not follow the shepherd. Sheep aredefenseless and need their shepherd’s protection (Psalm 23). Sheep are very usefulanimals. God’s people should be useful to him and certainly ought to “reproduce”themselvesbybringingotherstoChrist.Sheepwereusedforthesacrificesandweoughttobe“livingsacrifices,”doingthewillofGod(Romans12:1–2).Withregardtotheroleofleadersinthechurch,Peterpointsouttwoeffectiveprinciples:

prideofpositionmustbeabsent(5:1),andtheheartofashepherdmustbepresent(5:2a).Hethen illustrates theshepherd’sheartwith threeessentialattitudes:willingness(5:2b),eagerness (5:2c), andmeekness (5:3). Peter endshis address to the elder-pastorswith areminderoftheireternalreward.IfChrist’sshepherdsfaithfullydischargetheirdutieswiththe proper attitudes, they will receive “the unfading crown of glory” from Christ at hisreturn.As the“ChiefShepherd,” Jesusservesas themodelofhowhisearthly shepherdsaretoserve.

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HEDRAMATICCLIMAXOFTHISLETTERREADSLIKEAGENERALRALLYINGHISTROOPSBEFORELEADINGTHEMINTOBATTLE.

Peter addresses those who are younger in the faith, urging them to submit to theircommanders’ authority and leadership. They must follow their examples with humility,entrusting themselves to the great commander in chief, in whose service the battle canneverbelost.Hethenremindsthemoftheenemy.Inunmistakableterms,Peteridentifiesanddescribesthedevil.Wemustalwaysbeawarethatsomeoneishuntingus.Satanknowsourweaknessesand

our depravity. We must never forget that we are his prey and that this roaring lion isravenouswithhunger.Satanprowlsandpounceswhenweleastexpectit,whichexplainsourneedtoremainalertanddisciplined.Hisonepurposeistodestroyus.Therefore,wemust be aware of his tactics and have a respect for his power. We must never allowourselvestounderestimatetheadversary’sabilitytooutwit,deceive,andattackus.Whatarewetodowhenwefacetheadversary?Panic?Run?Surrender?No!Petersays,

“Resisthim,steadfastinyourfaith.”Theword“resist”meanstostandagainstandoppose.We don’t resist Satan with confidence in our own power or ability.We resist him withunshakable faith in our all-powerful God, relying on his defense to stand against thewickedworksofthedevil.Peter endshis letter to the churchwith the truth thatpresent sufferings are intimately

connectedtoeternalglory.Godwillseeusthrough.Godwillonedaybringushome.Wewillsufferforalittlewhile-thiswholelifethrough-butthenwewillgaineternalrewardandglory.Wearetogoforwardeachdayinthelightofhispromise.

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NOVEMBER282Peter1

S WE BEGIN, IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE TONE OF THIS LETTER. IT IS MOREPOLEMICAL (CRITICAL) THAN PASTORAL. IT IS A FIGHTING LETTER MORE THAN IT IS A

FRIENDLYONE.THELETTERISSURPRISINGLYAGGRESSIVE.Thereisasignificantneedintheworldtodayfordirectionandforcleartruthaccording

to real knowledge. This need even applies to life’smost ordinary situations. Just aboutevery person I know wants the same two things in life. We want our lives to meansomething andwewant our lives to leave something. To put it anotherway, everybodyfeelstheneedtobesignificant,tohavesomekindofuniquepurposetofulfillinthislife.Theyalsowanttobestowmeaningfulresultsoftheirlaborsonfuturegenerations.The firstsectionofPeter’s letterprovidescounselonhowtokeep fromfeelinguseless

andunfruitful.Thisletterbeginsbyfocusingonthekindoflifestylethatwillkeepusfromslippingintoirrelevance.Theapostlesknewthataftertheirdeaththegospelmessagetheypreachedwouldbechallengedbymanyanddiscardedbysome.Theywereawarethatthechurchwould need answers on great gospel questions, especially those relating to finaljudgement,Christ’sfuturecoming,andlifeinlightoftheserealities.Thisletterismeanttoremindreadersacrosstheagesthatthecontentoftheapostles’message,asputforwardinthepreachingofPeter,istrueandunchanging.In disclosing the nearness of his death, Peter underlines the urgency of the hour, and

revealsthemethodbywhichhewouldhaveus learn.Heteachesbywayofreminder.Thetruth of God’s grace and peace through Jesus is enough to give your lifemeaning andpurpose.

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NOVEMBER292Peter2

HEAPOSTLEPETERWAGESWARAGAINSTFALSETEACHERS.HEENCOURAGESUSTOTAKEAGOOD,LONG,HARDLOOKATFALSEPREACHERSANDFAILINGPEOPLE.

Bycallingthepreachersout,hehopeshisreadersmightlearnhowtospotthembeforetheydoirreversibleharm.Peter’saimistoequipustostandontheDayofJudgment.Heiswellawarethatothers

seekonly to“enticeunsteadysouls” (2:14).This littlephrasestandsat thecenterofourtextandprovidesasummary for thewhole.WhereasPeterwouldstrengthenus in faith,thesemenwouldlovenothingmorethantoseeusstumbleintospiritualfailure.Thewordtranslated“entice”isafishingterm.Perhapstheironywasintended.Peterwas

fulfillinghisdivinecallingasafisherofmen,butothers(notcalledbyGod)weretrollingfor the samesoulsbutwithevil intent.Hewouldhaveusknowhow todistinguish truepreachers from thosewho aremerely luring us to follow after falseways. False teachersoften appear doctrinally sound, personally attractive, sincere, and logically compelling.But they are deceivers, mind-benders, truth-twisters. He warns us to be aware of theirwickedschemes.ThefalseteachersPeterhasinmindarenotmerelyconfusedChristians,doubting Thomases, or backslidden believers. These are false professors, people whoappearforatimetobeauthenticbutarelikecounterfeitbillsamidstapocketfuloftherealthing. They can pass themselves off as true Christians for a while, but eventually theirwordsanddeedsgivethemaway.ThecloseryouwalkwithJesusthemoreyouwillknowthetruefromthefalse.

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NOVEMBER302Peter3

N THESE FINALWORDS TO THECHURCHES PRIOR TOHISMARTYRDOM, THEOLD FISHERMANANSWERSTHEQUESTION,“HOWWILLALLTHISEND?”

Peter’s final thought develops the issue of the end times.He presents a last reminderthatGod’stestimonyistrustworthy(3:1–2).Hegivesusafinalwarningtoavoidworldlycorruption and false teachers (3:11, 17–18). He proclaims a glorious promise of a newcreationcominginwhichrighteousnessdwells(3:13).InreadingPeteronthereturnofChrist,Iamstruckbyhowstraightforwardheisabout

itall.Peterdoesn’twavethesecondcomingofChristlikeaclubinthehandsofalunatic.He isnot askingus tokeep looking to the sky in fright and fear.Rather,hepromotes arealisticviewoflife.GodcreatedtheworldandasCreatorhewillpullthecurtaindownonthis world when he has had enough of its rebellion. In light of this, we should giveourselvestocareful,quietpreparationforthatinevitablefact.Peter stepsback,gathershis thoughts, andstates that thisworldwill come toanend,

butitwon’tcometoanendbecauseoftemporalphysicalproperties.Theendwillcomebythe intentional commandandwordofGod, in theveryhourhe sodecides to reveal thegloryandsupremacyofJesus.Peter closes his letter by encouraging us to stay on our guard against spiritual

adversaries. We must keep seeking to grow spiritually strong. We are commended to“supplementourfaith”withthequalitiesthatwillleadustoourheavenlyhome.Whileweare saved byGod’s grace alone through faith alone, our faithmust andwill growwhiletravelinghome.Jesusiscomingandhereallydoeswin.

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DECEMBER11John1:1-7

MAGINE YOU FIND YOURSELF DEEP IN A CAVE. IT IS COMPLETELY DARK. YOU CAN’T SEEANYTHING AT ALL SO YOU TAKE YOUR PHONE OUT AND TURN ON ITS FLASHLIGHT. THE

DARKNESSFLEES.Thefirstthingthatwemustrememberisthatdarknessistheabsenceoflight.Darkness

and lightcannotdwell inthesameplace.Where lightexists therecanbenodarknessatall(5).SinceGodislight,andwearemadeintheimageofGod,thatmeanswetooaretobethelight.However,wehavetobecarefulthatwewalkinthelight.Intheworldweliveintodaythisisnotaneasytask.Everywherewegowearesurroundedbydarkness.Thisjustmeansthatwemustshineourlightsbrighter.This passage does not say to stay away from the darkness. It says don’t walk in the

darkness. Let’s think about the flashlight again. Ifwe turnon the flashlight in awell litroomwhathappens?Thereisnotmuchthathappens.Nowtakethatsameflashlightandturnitoninacompletelydarkroom,itturnsthedarknessaway.AsChristiansweneedtogotothedarknessinordertoallowourlightstoshinebright.

Wecangotothedarknesswithoutwalkinginthedarkness.Areyouwalkingindarknessorlight?Areyoushiningyourlightsothatallcansee?

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DECEMBER21John1:8-10

EALLSIN.THATISAFACTOFLIFE.WHETHERITISALITTLEWHITELIE,ORALUSTFULTHOUGHT,ORANOUTBURSTOFANGER,WEALLSIN.

When we sin, we usually like to keep that sin to ourselves.We generally don’t wantanyone to find out what we did or what we struggle with. However, as we see here,confessionisimportanttothehealingprocess.Whenweconfessoursinsheisfaithfulandjusttoforgive.Forgivenessissuchabeautifulthing.Whenweareforgiven,Goddoesnotsaythatwhat

wedidwasokay.ForgivenessisGodshowingushisgraceeventhoughwedonotdeserveit.Forgivenessisnotsomethingthatisearned.Itissomethingthatisgiventousinspiteofus.Evenwhenweconfessoursin,wedon’tdeserveourHolyGod’sforgiveness.Yethegives ittousanyway.Whenweconfessoursin,weareadmittingthatwedidsomethingwrong.OurGodisfaithfulandasweconfess,heforgives.What sin do you have in your life right now that you need to confess? Take a few

momentstodaytolistthosesinstoGodandaskforhisforgiveness.Takethetimetodaytoadmitthewrongyouhavedone.Allowthewonderful forgivenessofourgreatGodtowashoveryoutodayasyoucryouttohim.

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N THE COURTROOM IT IS THEDUTYOF THE LAWYER TO PLEAD THE CASE FORHIS CLIENT.THEREFORE,HAVINGAGOOD LAWYER ISVERY IMPORTANTWHENYOUARE FACINGA JUDGE

ANDJURY.Ihavegreatnewsforus.Whenwemessup,wehavethegreatestlawyerwecouldever

want: Jesus Christ. Jesus pleads our case. He speaks to the Father on our behalf. Jesusmade theultimate sacrifice foruswhenhewent to the cross tomakeatonement for thesinsoftheworld(2:2).SinceweknowthatJesusmakesadefenseforuswhenwesin,doesthisgiveustherighttodowhateverwewant?No,wemustobeyhiscommands.Verse3saysthatifweknowhimwewillobeyhiscommands.Whenwesaywebelongto

himbutdon’tobeyhiscommands,weareliars(2:4).WhataboldstatementthatJohnismaking here. It is our duty to obey the commands that God has set before us. Hiscommandsare there toprotectus.Aparent tellshis childnot to touch thehot stove inorder toprotect the child fromgettinghurt.God's commands are there tohelp keepusfromgettinghurt. Some commands are easier toobey thanothers.What commandsdoyoustrugglewith?Whichonesdoyoufindeasy?Findsomeoneyoucantrusttohelpyouintheareaswhereyoustruggle.Knowthatyou

can always overcome every struggle in life because you have an advocate in JesusdefendingyoutotheFather.

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OWWONDERFULITISTOKNOWTHATOURSINSHAVEBEENFORGIVEN.Whenwe call on the name of Jesus and invite him into our hearts as Lord and

Savior,oursinsareforgiven.TheBibletellsustheyhavebeenremovedasfarastheeastisfrom the west (Ps. 103:12). Today, I want us to stop and think about that for a fewminutes.Oursinshavebeenforgiven.Allthemistakeswehavemade.Allthewrongthatwe have done.Gone. They are no longer held against us. Jesus paid the price for themupon the cross. As the wonderful song goes, “what sins are you talking about. I don’tremember them anymore.” What sins have you been forgiven of? How has your lifechangedfromknowingJesusasyourSavior?Sinceour sinshavebeen forgiven,weneed tobecarefulnot to follow thewaysof the

world. In verses 15-17, we see that the ways of God and the ways of the world aredifferent. It is clear to see that thewaysof theworld stand inopposition to thewaysofGod.Theworldsaysthings likeabortionandhomosexualityareok.TheWordsaystheyarewrong.Theworldsaysliveforyourselves.TheWordsaysliveforGodandhelpothers.WhenwedowhatGodsaysiswrong,itissin.Thus,weneedtofollowafterGodandnottheworld.Sinceoursinshavebeenforgiven,weneedtodoourbesttonolongerliveinsinbutfollowaftertheFather,andnottheworld.

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DECEMBER5IJohn2:18-28

FINDGREATCOMFORTINKNOWINGTHATICANNOTLOSEMYSALVATION.ONCEITRULYGIVEMYLIFETOCHRIST,ICANNOTLOSETHAT.Johnhelpsus tosee thissimple truth in today’sverses.Hesays,“Theywentout from

us,buttheywerenotofus;foriftheyhadbeenofus,theywouldhavecontinuedwithus.Buttheywentout,thatitmightbecomeplainthattheyallarenotofus”(2:19).Laterinverse25Johnsays,“Andthisisthepromisethathemadetous-eternallife.”Ifwecouldloseour salvation, thenwhydoes theBible saywearegiveneternal life. Itdoesnot saythatwearegivenlifeuntilwemessuporwesin.Itsayswearegiveneternallife.Forever.Our salvation is completely and totally based upon the work of Jesus Christ. It has

nothingtodowithyouorme.Hepaidtheprice.Hetookoursin.Heistheonethatoffersus the gift.Oncewe accept the gift, it is our gift for life. In otherwords, once you aresaved, you cannot lose your salvation.True salvation cannot be lost.Whenwe are trulysavedwearegiveneternal life.1Peter1:3-4says,“BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist.Becauseofhisgreatmercyhehasgivenusnewbirthintoalivinghopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that isimperishable,undefiled, andunfading,kept inheaven for you” (CSB).Whatgreathope,comfort,peace,andassurancewefindinthisbeautifultruth.

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OHNISHELPINGUSSEETHATASCHRISTIANSWESHOULDBEDIFFERENT.We are God’s children and as God’s children we should act as such. One of the

greatest ways that the world knowswe belong to Jesus is by our love for one another.Verse 10 says, “This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious.WhoeverdoesnotdowhatisrightisnotofGod,especiallytheonewhodoesnotlovehisbrotherorsister”(CSB).Themessageofloveisnotsomethingnew.Godtellsthepeopleof Israel that they are to love their neighbors, each other, the foreigner, and mostimportantlytheLordtheirGod.Jesusisalwayspreachingonthelovethatwearetohaveforpeople.Wearetoloveoneanother.Johnthenshowsuswhatlovedoesnotlooklike.Cain killed his brother. Because God accepted Abel's sacrifice, Cain became jealous.

Cain's jealousybecame stronger towardshis brother thanhis love forhis brother and itledhimtotakehis life.AccordingtoJohnMacArthur,"murderistheultimateactofhateanddemonstratestheabsenceofloveinthemostextremeway.”Cainshowedtheoppositeoflove.Nomatterwhatthisworld,orthepeopleinit,doestous,wemuststilllovethem.Evenwhentheworldhatesus,westillmustlovethem.Verse15isahardversetohear.IntheeyesofGod,hateissopowerful,thatherehesaysthatifwehateourbrother,thenweareamurderer.Ifwehatepeople,thenwearemurderersandwedonothavetheloveofChristlivinginus.

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ODAY,WESEETHEULTIMATEEXAMPLEOFLOVE.REALGENUINELOVEINVOLVESSACRIFICE.Themostbeautifulexampleof lovewaswhenGodsent Jesus todieon thecross

foroursins.Manytimesweforget justhowawesometheloveofGodtruly is.WeforgetthepricethatJesuspaidonthecrossforoursins.Godlovedussomuchthathetookourplace.Hegaveuphislifesowetooaretogiveupourlivesforthebrothers.Wecouldbecalled todie for someoneelse.Wecouldbe called togiveupour time,money,or stuff.Reallovehelpstomeetrealneeds.Love isnot loveuntil it isput intoaction. Ifweseesomeone inneedandwehave the

ability to help them and we don't, then we don't love. Take a parent for example. If aparenttellshisorherkidsthatheorshelovesthembutnevershowsthatlove,isitreallylove?What if theparentnever feeds thekid, gets thekid clothes,makes sure thekid ishealthy,buttellsthekidheorshelovesthem?Thisisnotlove.Thekidknowstheparentloveshimorherbecauseoftheactionsoftheparents.Theworldwillknowthatwelovethembecauseofouractions.Wearenottoloveintongue,butindeed.DeedcomesfromtheGreekword"towork".Loveisachoicethatwemake.Godlovesus,thuswearetoloveothersunconditionally.

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OWAWESOMEISITTHATWESERVEAGODWHOISGREATERTHANALL.Whenwegiveourlivestohim,hecomesandliveswithus.BecausetheSpiritof

HolyGodlivesinuswecanovercomeanything.Greaterishewhoisinus,thanhewhoisin theworld.Theworldcandomanythings tous. Itcantakeourmoney, takeour jobs,andeventakeourlives.OnethingthiswouldcannottakefromusisourGod.Heiswithuseachandeverystepofthewayhelpingustoovercomeanyobstaclethatwemayface.Weknowthathehasourbestinmindbecausehelovedusfirst.What apower statement Johnmakeshere in verse19. “We lovebecausehe first loved

us.”BeforeyouorIwereeverborn,GodhadalreadysentJesustodieonthecrossforoursins.Beforecreationexisted,heknewthathewouldsendhissontotakeourplace.Godlovesussomuchthathediedforus.WealsoseeinthispassagethatGodislove.IfGodisloveandGodlivesinus,thenisitnotsafetosaythatweshouldloveothersinthewaythatGodhas lovedus.God loved the people aroundus somuch that he died for themtoo.Wearetoloveothersbecausehelovesothers.Wearetoloveothersbecausehelovesus. IfGodcan loveandforgivemeafterall that Ihavedone, thenIcan loveandforgiveanyoneforwhattheyhavedonetome.Wearecalledtobepeopleoflove

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DECEMBER91John4:20-5:3

URLOVEFORGOD ISSHOWNBYTHEWAYTHATWELOVEOTHERS. JOHNTELLSUSHERETHAT IFWEDON’THAVE LOVE FOROUR BROTHERSAND SISTERS, THENWEDON’T LOVE

GOD.Let’s face it, therearea lotofpeopleouttherethatarehardto love. Iknowthatright

nowsomenamesarecomingtoyourmind.TheBiblesaysthatwehavetolovethemtoo.Howcanwelovewhatwedonotsee,ifwedon’tlovewhatisstandingrightinfrontofus?Wealsosee thatweshowour love forGodbyhowweobeyhis commands.Whenwe

giveourlivestoChrist,webecomechildrenofGod.AschildrenwearetoobeyourFather.Guesswhat one of the commands is that God gives to us? Love one another. This is acommand.Itisnotasuggestion,oranoption.Itdoesnotsaylovethosewholoveyou.Itsaysloveoneanother.Tofollowhiscommandsarenotaburden.Hiscommandsarethereto help us, guide us, and protect us.We obey himbecausewe know that hewants ourbest.Helovesusandcaresforus.Whoinyourlifedoyoufindithardtoloverightnow?Whathashappenedtomakethemhardtolove?Willyouprayforthemandyourself?PraythatGodwouldhelpyoutolovethemandthatwewouldblessthem.

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URFAITH ISTHEVICTORYTHATOVERCOMESTHEWORLD.OURFAITH IS INJESUSCHRIST,THESAVIOROFTHEWORLD.

He is theonewhodied foryoursins,mysins, and thesinsof theworld. In scripture,God theFather clearly showsus that Jesus is his son and that Jesus is the Savior of theworld.SalvationcanonlybefoundinJesusalone.Wecannotearnit.Wecannotgetitbybeinggoodpeople.TheonlywaythatwecanbecomerightwithGodistobelieve(orhavefaithin)thefactthatweneedaSavior.Whenwe accept him as our Savior,we can be certain thatwebecome a child ofGod.

HereJohntellsusthathehaswrittensothatwemayknow.TherearealotofthingsintheBiblethatarehardtounderstand.OnethingthatisveryclearinscriptureishowwecanbesavedthroughJesusalone.EverythingthatJohnhaswrittentothispointistoshowusthat we can know for sure we are a Christian.When we give our lives over to Christ,choosingtobelieveinhisdeath,burial,andresurrection,wecanhaveconfidenceknowingthatwearesaved.Wehavebeengiveneternallife.

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ECANHAVECONFIDENCEWHENWECOMETOGODINPRAYER.NOMATTERHOWBIGOURPROBLEMMAYSEEMTOUSORHOWSMALLITMAYSEEM,GODSTILLHEARSOURPRAYER.

Notonlydoeshehearourprayers,buthealsoanswersourprayer.Wejustdon’talwaysliketheanswerthatweget.WhenwemakerequeststoGodinprayer,therearethreewaysthathe answersus: yes, no, orwait. Sometimeswe get the answer that noneof us like:wait. In our fast paced world of fast food and microwaves, we don’t like to wait foranything.Therearetimeswhenwepraythatwemustwait.WemustwaitonGod’stimingandnotourown.WhenitcomestoprayerwecanknowthatGodwillanswerbasedonwhatisbestforus.

Ilookbackovermylife,andIseemanyprayerswhereGodsaidno,andI’mthankfulhedid.Iamsureyoucanthinkofsomeofthosetoo.TherearetimeswhereIamgladGodtoldme towait.When the time ofwaitingwas over the prayerwas answered far betterthananythingIcouldhaveeverimagined.Godknowswhatheisdoingwhenheanswersour prayers.We can bring any request toGodwith confidence that hewill hear us.Mydear brothers and sisters, never doubt the power of prayer thatwehavewhenwe comebeforeourgreatGod.

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DECEMBER122John

HEREARETHREEMESSAGESTHATJOHNHASFORHISREADERS.Thefirstthingthatweseeistheneedtowalkintruth.Inverse4,Johncommends

hisreaders forwalking inthetruth. Ifsomeoneweretowritea letter toustoday,wouldwebecommendedforwalkinginthetruth?ThetruthcanbefoundinthewordofGod.Itis ourmanual bywhichwe live. Ifwe are notwalking bywhat it says, thenwe are notwalkinginthetruth.Thesecondthingthatweseeistheneedtoloveoneanother.Itiscleartoseethistopic

isimportanttoJohn.Wesawitshowupmanytimesin1Johnandseeithereagainin2John.AsChristiansweneedtobepeoplewholoveothers.Thethirdthingthatwesee isthatweneedtowatchout forthosewhoseektochange

thetruth.Inverse7weseethatthereweresomewhoweredenyingthatJesuscameintheflesh. Today we see many people and organizations that try to change the truth of theBible.TheBibleistruthandweneedtobewatchfulofthosewhoteachwhatdoesnotlineupwithit.InorderforustoknowifwhattheyareteachinglinesupwiththewordofGod,weneed to spend time readingandstudying thewordofGod. It is in theBible thatweknowwhat truth is,we learnhow to loveoneanother, andweare able todiscern thosewhoarenotofthetruth.

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DECEMBER133John

ODAYWECOMETOTHESHORTESTBOOKINTHEBIBLE.EVENTHOUGHITMAYBESHORT,ITHASSOMEVALUABLELESSONSFORUS.

Just like in2 John,wesee three life lessons.Lessonnumberone:be faithful inall thatyoudo(5).Colossians3:23says,“Whateveryoudo,workheartily,asfortheLordandnotformen.”Everythingthatwedo,weshoulddofaithfully.Weshoulddoeverythingtothebest of our abilities, giving glory to God. Imagine the difference we would see in thisworldifallpeopledidallthingsfaithfullyforGod.Lessonnumbertwo:supportthosewhoserve(8).Therearemanymenandwomenwho

takethemessageofChristallovertheworld.Weneedtojoinintheministrywiththembysupportingthem.Therearemanywayswecansupportthem.Iamjustgoingtomentiontwo.Wecansupport thembypraying for them.Noministerormissionarywill ever saytheygettoomuchprayer.Anotherwaywecansupportthemisfinancially.Therearesomewhoraisetheirownsupportastheygooutonthefield.Lessonnumberthree:dowhatisgood(11).Weneedtodowhatisgoodandright.John

saystheonewhodoeswhat isgoodis fromGod.Withsomuchbadinourworldtodayweneed tobeagentsofgood.Weneed to liveour lives inaway that linesupwith theBibleandshowtheworldJesusChrist.

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DECEMBER14Jude1:1-16

EFENDINGTHEFAITH ISNOTANEASYTASK.WEHAVETHEFEAROFBEINGLAUGHEDAT,SAYINGTHEWRONGTHING,ORHURTINGAFRIEND’SFEELINGS.

Jude tells us that we need to contend for the faith. As Christians we can make adifferenceinthisworldbysimplystandingforwhatwebelievein.Sadly,someChristiansjustsitonthesidelines.Theydon’tgetoutoftheirpews,theydon’tgetoutofthechurch,andtheydon’tstandupforwhattheybelievein.Weneedtobeapeoplewhostandupforandpreachthetruth.JustlikeinJude’sday,todaywestillhavethosewhocomealongandpervertthetruth.Thetruthhasbeenpervertedbythosewhostandagainstus.Thetimeisnowforus,thepeopleofGod,tostandupanddefendthefaith.ThosewhoteachagainstthewordofGodwillbejudgedbyGod.AfterJudetellsustocontendforourfaith,hethenremindshisreadersofthetimesthat

Godhaddestroyed thosewhowent away fromhim.Thepeoplewere saved fromEgypt,thenmanydiedinthedesertbecausetheyturnedfromGod’struth.SodomandGomorrahwere destroyed because of sexual immorality. Korah rebelled against God and the earthswallowedthem(Numbers16).Godwilljudgethosewhodonotspeakthetruth.Weneedto watch out for these people so that we will not be led away by their teaching. It isimportant that we study God’s word so that we will be able to defend the faith whenpeoplepervertthetruthofGod.

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DECEMBER15Jude1:17-25

UDEGIVESUSGUIDELINESOFHOWWECANDEFENDOURFAITH.First, our faithmust be holy. Theword holymeans to be set apart, different. Our

faithshouldbedifferent fromtherestof theworld.Theworldhas faith inmoney, fame,others, etc.Wehave faith in Jesus. Second,we are topray in theHoly Spirit.Romans8tells us that the Spirit prays on our behalf when we don’t know how we should pray.PrayerisveryvaluabletousasChristians.ItisadirectlinetoGod.IntheOldTestamentpeoplehadtogothroughthepriests.Now,becauseofJesus,wehavedirectaccesstoourGod.Third,wearetokeepourselvesintheloveofGod.TheloveofGodisamazingandpowerful.There isnothingthatcanseparateus fromthat love. It is the loveofGodthatsentJesustotheearthtodieonthecrossforoursins.SinceGodhaspouredouthisloveandmercyonus,wearetoshowloveandmercytoothers.Wehavemercyonothersbysnatching them fromthe fire.Weare ina realwarwhere

eternity hangs in the balance. Those who die without Jesus will spend eternity in hell.Thosewhodiewith Jesuswill spendeternity inheaven.Thegreatest actof love thatwecan show to another person is to tell them the truth about who Jesus is. Only when apersoncomestoknowJesusastheirSaviorcantheystandbeforeaHolyGodblameless.WecannotgetthemtoacceptJesus,butwesurecantellthemaboutJesus.

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DECEMBER16Revelation1

HEWORDAPOCALYPSE STRIKES FEAR INTO PEOPLE. FROM THEWORLD’S PERSPECTIVE,ANAPOCALYPSE IS A GREAT DISASTER. FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE, APOCALYPSE MEANS

REVEALINGORDISCLOSINGSOMETHINGTOBESEEN.TheApostleJohnwroteRevelation,butthesourceoftheinformationistheLordJesus

himself.“TherevelationofJesusChrist,whichGodgavehimtoshowtohisservantsthethings thatmustsoontakeplace.Hemade itknownbysendinghisangel tohisservantJohn”(1:1).ThereisathreefoldpurposeinRevelation.Thefirstpurposeistoreveal.God’sintentis

to reveal the things that are to come from the futurist perspective. There is not perfectagreementamongBiblebelievingChristiansonthedetailsoftheendtimes.Theessentialnon-negotiables are the literal return of Jesus to the earth, the raising of the dead, thejudgmentofallpeople,andheavenandhellintheeternalstate.Thesecondpurposeistoprepare.Godrevealswhat is tocomeat thepinnacleofhistoryasweknowit.The thirdpurpose is to inspire hope.Much ofwhatwe see in the news and in theworld is utterhopelessness.God is theGodof hope andwe are themost hopeful people of all in theworldifourfaithisinJesusChrist.God’splanfortheworldandhispeopleiscertain.There isablessingpromised toallwhoread thisbook.“Blessed is theonewhoreads

aloudthewordsofthisprophecy,andblessedarethosewhohear,andwhokeepwhat iswritteninit,forthetimeisnear”(1:3).Thetimeisnear,beready!

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DECEMBER17Revelation2:1-7

OHNWASGIVENAVISIONOFTHESONOFMANANDFELLATHISFEETASTHOUGHHEWASDEAD(REVELATION1:16-19).Jesusidentifiedhimselfasthefirstandthelast,theonewhohasthekeystoDeathand

Hades.HeinstructedJohntowriteaboutthethingshehadseenandthethingsthatweretotakeplaceafter.ThewordsoftheLordtothesevenchurchesofAsiaMinorfollow.The church in Ephesus was commended for their works, their toil, and their patient

endurance. They did not tolerate those who are evil, and tested those who calledthemselvesapostlesbutwerenotandfoundthemtobefalse.Theyhadnotgrownwearyintheirendurance.YettherewasarebukethatcamefromtheLord.Theyhadabandonedthelovetheyhadatfirst(2:4).Theyweredoingwhatwasright,buttheirlovefortheLordwasnotwhatitshouldhavebeen.Thisisastrongwordtoustoday.Wecanhaveourdoctrinecorrect.Wecanworkhard

andbebusyinthethingsoftheLord.Wecanendureevenwhencircumstancesarequitedifficult. However, if our love for Jesus is not first and foremost in our lives and thechurchesweservein,heisnotpleased.Jesus instructed the church to remember fromwhere they had fallen. Then to repent,

meaninga changeofattitude resulting ina changeofdirection.Finally,he told themtoreturnanddotheworks theyhaddoneat first.Thinkaboutwhereyouare inyourwalkwithJesus.Isyourloveforhimfirstandforemostinallyoudo?Ifnot,heedthewordsofJesusandremember,repent,andreturn.

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MYRNAWASASEAPORTONTHEAEGEANSEA,ABOUT40MILESTOTHENORTHOFEPHESUS,ANDWASALARGECITYOFAROUND100,000PEOPLE.

Jesusdidnotrebukethischurchbecausetheyhadremainedfaithful.Thebelieversinthechurch there experienced great tribulation and deep poverty, and even so they werewealthyspiritually.TheLordwarnedthechurchofwhatwastocome.Thedevilwasabout to throwsomeof them intoprison, so theywouldbe tested, and

they would experience even more tribulation. Jesus told them not to fear, and to befaithfuluntodeath.Hepromisedtheywouldreceiveacrownoflife,thefullnessofeternallifeastheirreward.ThesereferenceslikelyrefertohistoricalpersecutionwhichtookplaceundertheRomanEmpire.Thewordsof Jesusaremostappropriate forChristiansandforchurcheswhodesire to

be faithful in our 21st century context. Persecution is on the rise and is intensifying.Largely,persecutionintheUnitedStateshasbeenlimitedtomockeryandmarginalizationof the faith.Daily in other parts of theworld followers of Jesus are paying the ultimatepricewiththeirlives.Whenwereadandhearofpersecutionacrosstheworld,andevenwhenithitscloseto

home,Jesushasawordforusaswell.Wearenottofearbecausewearepeopleoffaith.Looktohimforyourhope.Befaithful,evenifthisrequiresbeingfaithfultothepointofdeath. Whatever may happen to us in this life pales in comparison to what God haspreparedforuseternally.ThecrownoflifeisavailabletoallwhowilltrustintheLordandendureinthefaceofpersecution.

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ERGAMUMWASLOCATEDONTHEAEGEANCOAST.THENAMEMEANS“CITADEL.”The citywas full of pagan cults andwas identified as dwelling in the location of

Satan’s throne.Thecitywas fullof spiritualpitfalls. In themidstof this, thechurchhadheldstronglyintheircommitmenttoandwitnessforJesus.Jesushadafewthingsagainstthem. Some among them held to the teaching of Balaam. Balaam told Balak he couldovercome Israel by involving them in Moabite religious feasts including prostitution(Numbers25).Thiswouldresultinunfaithfulnessandbringthemunderjudgment.Thepagancults inPergamumwere likelyurgingChristians to join in thepagan feasts

and sexual immorality. Those who participated from the church were approving ofBalaam’steaching.TheNicolaitansapparentlysawthesesinsasacceptableaswell.Pagancultsmaynotbetheprimarytemptationinourcontexttoday,butpaganculturecertainlyis.PersonalholinessamongChristiansdoesnotseemtobeaprimarytopicoffocus.Moreemphasis is placed on Christian liberty. Liberty is not a license to sin, it is anencouragementtoholiness.Weare to live inall things, for thegloryofGodand for thesakeofourwitnessforhim.ThewordtothechurchinPergamumwastorepent.Iftheydidnot,theycouldexpecta

dayof reckoning fromtheLordhimself.Thesamewordcomes tous.Foranywhohavefallen into sinful activities that are not pleasing toGod, there is awarning to repent.AstrongchurchwillbemadeupofpeoplewhoareseekingtowalkintheholinessofGodandprovideapurewitnesstoawatchingworldofthetransformingpowerofthegraceofGod.

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ESUSWROTETOTHECHURCH INTHYATIRATOCOMMENDTHECHURCHANDTOWARNTHEMFORWHATWASGOINGONINTHECHURCH.Hereferencedtheirworks,love,faith,service,andpatientendurance.Theirworkswere

even increasing, with the latter ones exceeding the first ones. These are strongcommendations of faithfulness to the Lord and every church would do well to emulatethem.The problem in their midst is they tolerated the woman Jezebel. She was a woman

claimingtobeaprophetess,butinsteadwasteachingandseducingtheservantsofGodtopractice sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. This woman is probablysymbolicoffalseteachingintheseareasasawhole.Godgavehertimetorepent,butsherefusedtodoso.Herjudgmentwasthatshewouldbethrownontoasickbedandallwhocommittedadulterywithherwouldbethrownintogreattribulationunlesstheyrepented,andherchildrenwouldbestruckdead.One cannot help but think of the gross sexual immorality that is being promoted in

manychurchestoday.Theformofitmayvaryfromwhatisspecifiedherebutthesinisthesame.PeoplemisusehumansexualitywhichGodcreatedasgood,inperverseandunholyways.Judgmentonthiseviliscertain.InthechurchwecannottoleratewhatGoddeclaresasevil,norcanwetolerateitinourownlives.Wemust hold fast to what we have until Jesus returns. Do not be swayed by an evil

culture, or by false teachers who call themselves followers of Jesus. Be anchored in theWord of God. The faithful will ultimately have authority over the nations, and arepromisedthemorningstarwhoisJesus,andheisthegreatesttreasureofall!

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HATSEEMSTOBEALIVE,MAYACTUALLYBEDEAD.HOWCOULDTHATBE?This is exactlywhat Jesus said about the church in Sardis.Many churches are

busywithaflurryofactivities,andthinktheyarealive.Inrealitymanyofthemaredead,becausebusynessdoesnotequatewithspiritualvitality.ThechurchatSardiswasinstructedtowakeup,andstrengthenwhatwasleftandabout

todie,becausehehadnotfoundtheirworkscompleteinthesightofGod.Thisisatimelyword to many churches to wake up while there is still time. There is currently muchdiscussionaboutdiscipleshipandchurchrevitalization.Maybethisisthewordthatneedsto be heard most of all. Even though there is work going on, the work may not becompleteinthesightofGod.Sardiswasexhortedtorememberwhattheyhadreceivedandheard,keepit,andrepent.

Therewerestillafewamongthemwhohadnotsoiledtheirgarments,whoweredeemedworthy by Jesus. These represent the faithful remnant. Inmost churches, even churchesthat are nearly dead, there is usually a faithful remnant. There are people who havemaintained a proper focus on Jesus and his work, and truly desire to see God’s glorymanifested in their midst. If you are part of that godly remnant, stay focused, and beencouraged.Jesusdescribedtheconquerorsas thosewhoareclothed inwhitegarments.Thewhite

garments represent the righteousness of Jesus granted to us by faith. When you aredeclaredrighteousthroughfaithinJesus,itiscertainthatyournameissecureinthebookoflife!Jesuspromisestoconfessyournamebeforehisfatherandbeforehisangels.

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ESUSKNOWSYOURWORKS.THISISATHEMETHATRECURSINTHELETTERSTOTHECHURCHES.He sees it all. This is a humbling thought, that nothing goes unnoticed, whether

goodorbad,inthesightoftheLord.Philadelphia,thecityofbrotherlylove,hadachurchmade up of believers who were given an open door which no one was able to shut.Apparentlytheywerefewinnumber,andweredescribedashavinglittlepower.Inspiteofthis,theykeptthewordofGodanddidnotdenythenameofJesus.Sometimeswhenwe look at the resources aroundus,we canbediscouraged.Perhaps

you are in a church which is few in number. Your resources may be meager from theworld’sperspective.Beencouragedbecauseyouserve theHolyOne, theTrueOne,whoopensdoorsnomancanshutandshutsdoorsnomancanopen.Jesus has set an open door before his churches. The open door represents certain

opportunity.Asbelieversindividually,andthencollectivelyasthebodyofChrist,wehaveanopendoorinthekingdomofGodtodohiswork,carryouthiswillintheworld,andbefaithfulwitnessesofhistotheendsoftheearth.Donotbediscouragedordismayedbyyour relatively small strength. The work of God does not depend on your power; itdependsonthepowerofGod.ThechurchatPhiladelphiakeptthewordaboutpatientendurance,andJesuspromised

tokeepthemultimately fromthetrial tocome.Theyweretold tohold fast towhat theyhad so no one could seize their crown. Jesus promises to make those who conquer apermanentpillarinthetempleofGod!

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HURCHATTENDANCEISINASTATEOFDECLINE.THELIVESOFMANYCHRISTIANSLOOKNODIFFERENTFROMTHOSEOFTHEWORLD.

Manyaredistracted,uncommitted,andcomplacent in their faith.This isactuallynotanew problem at all. Jesus had a word for the church at Laodicea. Unlike the other sixchurchesreferenced,theyreceivednocommendationatall.Theirworkswereneithercoldnorhot.Theywerelukewarm,andbecauseofthisJesussaidhewouldspitthemoutofhismouth. The drinkingwater for the city came from a hot spring located sixmiles to thesouthover anaqueduct andwhen it arrived itwas lukewarm.Aphysical illustrationwasusedtomakeaspiritualpoint.They thought they had it all and had need of nothing. Self-sufficiency is a significant

problem today because it grows spiritual apathy. They were declared to be wretched,pitiable, poor, blind, andnaked. Jesus instructed them to buy fromhimgold refined byfire, and white garments to clothe themselves in, and salve to anoint their eyes.Representedarespiritualriches,righteousness,andclearspiritualvisionfromGod.Tobereprovedanddisciplinedisevidenceoftheloveof Jesusforhispeople.Hecares

about where we are spiritually, and desires us to walk faithfully with him. When hereprovesanddisciplines,weshouldbezealousandrepentashe instructedthechurchatLaodiceatodo.Thewordsofverses20to22arefirsttothelukewarmChristiantoopenthedooroftheheartandenterintointimatefellowshipwithJesusChrist.Thewordscouldbeappropriately applied inevangelismaswellbecause the invitation toeternal life is toknowJesus.AreyouhotheartedinyourdevotiontoGod?

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NAVISION, JOHNWASCAUGHTUP INHEAVEN TO SEEWHATWOULD TAKE PLACE IN THEJUDGMENTSOFGODONTHEWORLD.HEWASINTHESPIRIT,ANDSAWATHRONEINHEAVEN

WITHONESEATEDONTHETHRONE.The scene is magnificent with precious jewels adorning the throne. From the throne

camelightning,thunder,burningtorchesoffireandaseaofglasswasbeforeit.AunifiedchorusrisesbeforethethroneofGoddayandnightwithoutend.“Holy,holy,

holy, is theLordGodAlmighty,whowasand isand is tocome!”(4:8)“Worthyareyou,ourLordandourGod, toreceivegloryandhonorandpower, foryoucreatedall things,andbyyourwilltheyexistedandwerecreated”(4:11).InterpretationsofRevelation4through19varygreatlyregardingthevarioustypesand

symbols. One could easily lose sight of the main subject of these chapters by gettingboggeddown in thedetails.Themainsubjectof thesechapters is thegloryofourgreatGod.HeisKingoverallofhiscreation.Godistheholyonewhoissovereignoverlifeandeternity.HesenthissonJesustoredeemallwhowillrepentandbelieveinhim.Jesuswillreturnagain,justashecamethefirsttime,tojudgethelivingandthedead,todefeatallenemies,andtousherintheeternalstate.Goddeserves all the glory.Eachof our lives should join in the eternal chorus toGod

becausehe isworthy.We shouldbeprepared tomeetGodbecause it is appointeduntomanonce todie and after this the judgment (Hebrews9:27).Whetherwe appear in thepresenceofGodindeath,orwhenJesusreturns,wemustbeready.

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HEONE SEATEDON THE THRONEHADA SCROLL SEALEDWITH SEVEN SEALS.ANANGELPROCLAIMED LOUDLY, “WHO ISWORTHY TOOPEN THE SCROLL AND BREAK ITS SEALS?”

(5:2)Noone inheavenoron earthwas foundworthy and Johnbegan toweep.Oneof the

elders in heaven told John, “Weep nomore; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, theRootofDavid,hasconquered,sothathecanopenthescrollanditssevenseals”(5:5).Byhisownblood Jesus, theLambofGod,“ransomedpeople forGod fromevery tribe

and language andpeople andnation, and youhavemade themakingdomof priests toourGod,andtheyshallreignontheearth”(5:9-10).JesusisworthyandthisisapowerfulreminderofthemissionGodhasgiventothechurch.OurfocusmustbeonthegloryofKingJesuswho,byhisownblood,securedforgivenessforoursins,andthroughfaithinhimbringsustothethroneofGod.Thegospel isnot limitedby time,geography,orculture.God intends for themessage

aboutJesustogototheendsoftheearth.Wedothisinobedienceandinanticipationofthe great scene John was privileged to see. There were “myriads and myriads andthousandsofthousands”(5:11)aroundthethroneofGod.TheyallweregivingpraisetoJesusbecauseworthyistheLambwhowasslain!HeavenisGod’sdwellingplace,andisarealplace.Godreceiveshonorandglorythere,

andissurroundedbyinnumerableworshipers!Ourlivesonthiseartharetemporary,butthey are purposeful in preparation for eternity. Is your worship driven by an eternalvision?

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DECEMBER26Revelation6:1-8:5

OHNWASGIVENREVELATIONABOUTTHEJUDGMENTSTHATWOULDCOMEONTHEEARTHAFTERTHELAMBOFGODOPENEDTHESEALSONTHESCROLL(REVELATION5:1).The judgments of the seals, trumpets, and bowl judgments are in the context of the

revelation given about Daniel’s seventieth week (Daniel 9:24-27), the time of the GreatTribulation.Revelation6isverysimilartotheOlivetDiscoursespokenbyJesus(Matthew24:1-25:46).ThejudgmentsareprogressivelyworseastheyunfoldinScripture.ThefirstfourofthesevensealsarereferredtoasthefourhorsemenoftheApocalypse.

They represent the Antichrist, warfare, famine, and plague alongwithmore famine andwarfare.The fifth seal regards thosemartyred for their faithduring theend timeevents.Thesixthsealrepresentsacataclysmicearthquakewhichisdevastating,alongwiththesunbecomingblackandthemoonbecominglikeblood.ThosewhosurvivetheeventscryouttoGodfordeliverance.Revelation7depictsagreatmultitudegatheredaround the throneofGod thatnoone

could number. Among the multitude are people from every nation, tribes, people, andlanguagesstandingbeforethethroneinwhiterobescryingout“SalvationbelongstoourGod who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (7:10) The ones in white robes aredepictedascomingoutof theGreatTribulationandwhohavebeenwashedwhite inthebloodoftheLamb.Finally, the seventh seal was opened and there was silence in heaven. Prayers were

offered up to the throne of God and there was lightning, thunder, rumblings, and anearthquake.Theseeventsshouldinspirefaithandnotfear.WetoowillgatheraroundthethroneofourvictoriousGodinthefutureandofferthepraisethatisduehim.

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HESEVENTRUMPETSARETHESUBSTANCEOFTHESEVENTHSEALINREVELATION8:1-5.The first trumpetbringshailand fireupon theearth.Thesecond trumpetbrings

whatmaybeameteordestroyingmostofthesealife.Thethirdtrumpetaffectsriversandlakesinsteadoftheocean.Thefourthtrumpetmakesthesunandmoonbecomedark.Thefifth trumpet is a plague of locusts which attack people. The sixth trumpet releases ademon driven army which kills a third of the human population. The seventh trumpetsummonssevenangelswhowillpouroutthebowlsofGod’swrath.There is an interlude that shifts from judgment to encouragement of believers in

Revelation10.AmightyangeldescendedfromheavenasamessengerofGod.Hiscrownwas a rainbow, the enduring symbol ofGod’smercy and faithfulness to his people. Theangelwasradiant.ThereisalsoashiftinlocationbecausetheangeldescendsfromheaventoearthandstandsontheearthwhereJohnhearsavoicefromheaven.Thescrollheheldinhishandwasalreadyopenandthemessagewentouttothewholeearth.HepointedtoEternalGodwhocanbringaboutwhathepleases.Twowitnesseswill come forthduring the timeof theGreatTribulation empoweredby

Godtobeartestimonytohim.Theywillbekilledwhentheirtestimonyisfinishedandthebowls ofwrathwill come swiftly after this.Although the events of theGreatTribulationwillbecomprehensivelyawful,andthewrathofGodcertain,theydonotovershadowthegloryofGod.Thosewhoknowhimwillcontinuetogiveglory.Weshouldgiveglory toGodonearth,nomatterhowdifficultlifeisbecauseheisourDeliverer!

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OHNSAWAVISIONOFAWOMANABOUTTOGIVEBIRTHANDAREDDRAGON, IDENTIFIEDASSATAN,THEPOWERFULFOEOFGOD.His seven heads and ten horns represent seven nations and ten rulers under his

authority. The royal crowns represent their authority. The third of the stars of heavenrepresenttheangelsSatanledinrebellionagainstGodwhowerecastoutofheaven.SatanfailedinhisattempttodestroyJesusbeforehewasborn,andturnedhisattention

to Israel. A war is depicted as arising in heaven, and the dragon and his angels aredefeated.SatanisactivelyopposingGodinthepresent,sotheseversesdescribeeventsyettotakeplace.Therewillbeagreatcelebrationinheaventhattheaccuserofthebrothershasbeenthrowndowntotheearth.The first beast rises opposing God and the second beast rises opposing God and

imposing themark of the beast, 666.Only thosewho take themarkwill survive. Threeangels come warning the people of God. They call for endurance, keeping thecommandments of God, and faith in Jesus. Seven angels with seven plagues arise andsubsequentlythebowlsofGod’swrathcome.Theseincludepainfulsores,deathofeverylivingthing inthesea,riversturningtoblood, the intensificationof theheatof thesun,darkness and increase of sores, the Euphrates River drying up, and the armies ofAntichrist gathering for the Battle of Armageddon, and finally a devastating earthquakewithlargehailstones.TheangelsofGodcryout,“Whowillnotfear,OLord,andglorifyyourname?Foryou

aloneareholy.Allnationswillcomeandworshipyou,foryourrighteousactshavebeenrevealed”(15:4).LetusfearourgreatGod,andglorifyhisname!

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HEVISIONCONTAINED INCHAPTER17 ISTHEONLYONEWHEREAN INTERPRETINGANGELCOMMUNICATESTHESIGNIFICANCEOFTHEVISION.

The great prostitute is Babylon, which is directly connected with immorality andidolatry. The content of the Babylonian system, its evil character, and judgment are thefountainhead of other evil religious systems and everything opposed to God. She isdepictedasbeing“drunkwiththebloodofthesaints,thebloodofthemartyrsofJesus”(17:6).ThebeastwhoisAntichrist,comesoutofthebottomlesspit.Jesuswilldestroythebeast

andhiskingdomwhenhereturnstotheearth.ThekingdomswillfightagainstJesusashereturnstotheearthandtheLambofGodwillovertakethem.Theyrepresenttheageoldapostate religious system throughwhich the Antichrist in themiddle of the Tribulationwilldemandworshipforhimself.John also describes the devastation of the economic system during the tribulation.

Luxurious living in partwill lead toBabylon’s judgment. Superiority and self-sufficiencyaredeadly.Thekings,merchants,andtradesmen,sailors,andpassengerswillmournherdestruction.Thefallwillbequickandheavenwillrejoice.ThereturnofJesuswillbethepinnacleofallthathastakenplacetothatpoint,because

he is the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16). Following his return will be thecapture andbindingofSatan, theMillennialReignof Jesus,Satan’s finaldefeat, and thefinaljudgmentattheGreatWhiteThrone(20:1-15).Thereturnof Jesus iscertain,anditwillbesudden.Heisourblessedhope.Whilewe

await his return,we should seek to grow in our faith in him, be faithful in sharing thegoodnewswithothers,andanticipatethetimeyettocome.

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EAWAITTHENEWHEAVENANDTHENEWEARTH,WHENTHEFIRSTHEAVENANDTHEFIRSTEARTHWILLHAVEPASSEDAWAY.

There is so much to look forward to for God’s people. Most of all, we anticipatedwellingwithGodforever!Thenewheavenandthenewearthwillbeamagnificentplace.ThenewJerusalemwillbethecenterpieceofitall.“Thecityliesfoursquare,itslengththesameasitswidth.Andhemeasuredthecitywith

his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length andwidth andheight are equal.He alsomeasured itswall, 144 cubitsbyhumanmeasurement,which is also anangel’smeasurement” (21:16-17).Thenew Jerusalemwillbeamassive city, inhabitedby the redeemedofGod.TherewillbenoneedforthesunormoontheretoshinebecausethegloryofGodwillprovidethelight!Thegateswillneverbeclosed,andnothinguncleanwilleverenterit.In themiddlewill flowtheriverof thewaterof life, flowing fromGod’s throne(22:1).

Godwill receiveworshipday andnight forever.The servantsofGodwill see the faceofGodandreignforeverandeverwithGod.WhataprivilegeitwillbetoserveGodinasinfreeenvironment,justasGod’soriginalcreationwasintendedtobe.There isa longing in theheartofeverybeliever for theeternalhome.Whenweare in

Christ,wesensethatthereissomethingmuchgreaterawaitingus.We,likeAbraham,aretoliveinanticipationoftheeternalcitywhosebuilderandmakerisGod.Doyoulivewiththat type of hope? Do you long for your eternal home? As magnificent as Scripture’sdescriptionofitis,itwillbeoverwhelminglymagnificentinperson.

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HEPEOPLEOFGODAREPROMISEDABLESSINGFROM JESUS.“ANDBEHOLD, IAMCOMINGSOON. BLESSED IS THE ONEWHO KEEPS THEWORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK”

(22:7).Jesusiscomingsoon,andweshouldstrivetokeephiswords.TheAlphaandOmegais

comingagaininjudgment.ThosewhoarewashedintherighteousnessofJesuswillhavetherighttothetreeoflifeandenterthecitybythegates(22:14).Allwhoarenot,willbeleftoutside.Thebookconcludesthewayitbegan,withthepromiseofablessingforthosewhopay

attentiontowhatitteaches.InlightofthewordsofJesus,weshouldendeavortoliveforwhat will last. Turn to Christ for salvation, live tomake him known, and anticipate hisreturn.AddingtoortakingawayfromtheWordofGodwillresultinpunishmentfromGod.We

mustbecarefulnottodiluteorperverttheWordofGod.Ifthepersonwhocorruptstheteachingislost,theywillhavenopartintheblessingsofGod.Ifthepersonisabeliever,theywillloseprivilegeinthekingdomtocome.Jesus says, “Surely I am coming soon” (22:20). Yes! “Come, Lord Jesus!”We long for

andawaityourreturn.Inthisbrokenanddarkworld,welookforwardtothereturnofthelightoftheworld,andwhenhewillmakeallthingsnew.Gracehas the finalword!“Thegraceof theLord Jesusbewithall.Amen”(22:21).We

aresavedbyGod’sgracethroughfaithinJesus.WearesustainedbyGod’sgracethroughdependenceonhisSpirit.WewillbesafelybroughthomebyGod’sgraceintheend.

THANKYOU,CONTRIBUTORSANDEDITORSC.J.AdkinsJacobAtchleyMasonBallardWillBashamNathanErtelDWFeaster

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