| Archive - May 2007 The WordPosted May-31-07 06:18:46 PDT In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 1:1-4
What Jesus taught and what he did are tied inseparably to who he is. John shows Jesus as fully human and fully God. Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man, he never ceased to be the eternal God, who has always existed, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and the source of eternal life. This is the truth about Jesus, and the foundation of all truth. If we cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we will not have enough faith to trust our eternal destiny to him. That is why John wrote this Gospel - to build faith and confidence in Jesus Christ so that we may believe that he truly was and is the son of God.
God bless you,
J.H. Despised and RejectedPosted May-30-07 06:22:21 PDT He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:3-5
How could an Old Testament person, like Isaiah the Prophet, understand the idea of Christ dying for our sins - actually bearing the punishment that we deserved? The sacrifices suggested this idea, but it is one thing to kill a lamb, and something quite different to think of God's chosen servant as that lamb. But God was pulling aside the curtain of time to let the people of Isaiah's day look ahead to the suffering of the future Messiah and the resulting forgiveness made available to all mankind. The Man of sorrows, Jesus, was despised and rejected by those around him, and he is still despised and rejected by many today. Some reject Christ by standing against him. Others despise Christ and his great gift of forgiveness. That is why it is so important, so vital for us as Christians to share the truth of the Gospel. Some people reject Christ out of sheer ignorance, and if we are able to shed a little light through all this darkness, perhaps God will choose to move in the hearts and lives of those we love and bring them to a point of repentance.
God bless you,
J.H. TransformationPosted May-29-07 06:21:37 PDT For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:15-17
Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know Christ better. Christ is our model, and the more we know Him, the more we will be like Him. Study Jesus' life in the Gospels to see what He was like on Earth nearly 2000 years ago, and get to know Him in prayer. You will experience the transforming power of His Holy Spirit. Personal knowledge of Christ will change your life. You will never, ever be the same. Whatever you are going through will begin to seem minuscule when you start to see it through God's eyes. Your perceptions will change. Your viewpoints will change. Your opinions will change. Your attitudes will change. You will begin to acquire the traits of Christ and become more like Him. There is no greater evidence on earth of the power of God than that of a changed heart.
God bless you,
J.H. Through Difficult TimesPosted May-25-07 06:26:03 PDT The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:17-19
We often wish we could escape troubles - the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure; or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. God promises to be "close to the brokenhearted," to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems each and everyday. Sometimes, He chooses to deliver us from those problems, according to His will. When trouble strikes, do not get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need God's help and thank him for being by your side. Expect great things from the Almighty God. He is with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
God bless you,
J.H. Grieving the Holy SpiritPosted May-24-07 06:44:10 PDT Do not let any of unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with the all forms of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgive you.
Ephesians 4:29-32
We can grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live. Paul warns us against unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, brawling, slander, and bad attitudes toward others. Instead of acting that way, we should be forgiving, just as God has forgiven us. Act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, just as God acted in love by sending his son to die for your sins. God does not forgive us because we forgive others, but solely because of his great mercy. As we come to understand his mercy, however, we will want to be more like Him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others. Those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ, who was willing to forgive even those who crucified Him.
God Bless you,
J.H. There is None Like YouPosted May-23-07 06:26:20 PDT Hear my prayer, oh Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great to do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Psalm 86:6-10
Sometimes our trouble or pain is so great that all we can do is cry out to God. And often, when there is no relief in sight, all we can do is acknowledge the greatness of God and wait for better days ahead. The conviction that God answers prayer will sustain us in such difficult times. "There is none like you, oh Lord." The God of the Bible is unique and powerful. He is alive and able to do mighty deeds for those who love him. All human created deities are powerless because they are merely inventions of the mind, and not living beings. The Lord alone is "worthy to receive glory and honor and power." Although people believe in many different types of gods, you need never fear that God is only one among many or that you may be worshiping the wrong God. The Lord alone is God.
God Bless you,
J.H. No ComparisonPosted May-22-07 06:05:40 PDT Brothers (and sisters), if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in themselves, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each should carry his own load.
Galatians 6:1-5
No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ - the church - functions only when the members work together for the common good. Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister, who needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently, reach out to that person. When you do your very best, you feel good about the results. There's no reason to compare yourself to others. People make comparisons for many reasons. Some point out others flaws in order to feel better about themselves. Others simply want reassurance that they are doing well. When you are tempted to compare, look at Jesus. His example will inspire you to do your very best, and his loving acceptance will comfort you when you fall short of your own expectations.
God bless you,
J.H. Pay AttentionPosted May-21-07 06:22:32 PDT For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
II Corinthians 5:14-15,17
Everything that Paul and his companions did was to honor God. Christ's love controlled their lives. Because Christ died for us, we also are dead to our lives, our desires, ourselves. Like Paul, we should no longer live to please ourselves; we should spend our lives pleasing Christ, who died for us and rose from the grave. Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated-we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ. At conversion, we are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life. At the time that we accept Christ, we gain eternal life. We are promised to live together with God in Heaven forever. With that promise we also inherit something else. The part of himself that Christ has imparted to us is perfect. It is that part of ourselves that we need to cultivate through prayer and Bible study. I am not perfect, but Christ in me is perfect. I need to pay attention to what Christ is telling me to do. Pay attention to the One who has all the answers.
God Bless you,
J.H. Tough LovePosted May-18-07 06:42:50 PDT Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lacked," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Mark 10:21
What does money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they did use their possessions to serve others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. What if Jesus asked, could you give up your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money-whether it is your servant or your master. In addition, Jesus showed genuine love for this man, even though he knew that the man might not follow him. Love is able to give tough advice; it doesn't hedge around the truth. Christ loved us enough to die for us, and he also loves us enough to talk straight to us. If his love were superficial, he would give us only his approval; but because his love is complete, he gives us life-changing challenges. That is what God's love is all about.
God bless you,
J.H. What Really MattersPosted May-17-07 06:52:20 PDT Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God that dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalm 84:10-11
God does not promise to give us everything we think is good, but he will not withhold what is permanently good. He will give us the means to walk along his paths, but we must do the walking. When we obey him, he will not hold anything back, that will help us serve him. Serving the Lord and fulfilling our purpose in Him is better than any alternative on earth that we could possibly come up with. Where do we spend the bulk of our time? Where do we focus our energy? Is it in the things of the Lord, or is in the things that serve only to ingratiate our winsome desires? Wherever it is, there our heart lies also. We are relational people. Sometimes, we have to look at our relationship and attachment to things in order to properly judge our relationship with God. If we are too focused on one, then we are lacking in another. We must begin to focus on what really matters.
God Bless you,
J.H. Forgiven IndeedPosted May-16-07 06:12:55 PDT But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Job 23:10
Eliphaz had tried to condemn Job by identifying some secret which he may have committed. Here Job declares his confidence in his integrity and God's justice. We are always likely to have some hidden sin in our lives, sin we don't even know about because God's standards are so high and our performance is so imperfect. If we are true believers, however, we know that all our sins are forgiven because of what Christ did on the cross on our behalf. His forgiveness and cleansing are sufficient; they overrule our nagging doubts. The Holy Spirit in us is our proof that we are forgiven in God's eyes even though we may feel guilty at times. If we, like Joe, are truly seeking God, than we can stand up to others' accusations as well as our own nagging doubts. If God has forgiven and accepted us, we are forgiven, indeed.
God Bless you,
J.H. In All ThingsPosted May-15-07 06:30:32 PDT And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30
God works in "all things" - not just isolated incidents - for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Those who are "called" are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. They trust in God, not in earth's treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with them. God is with you right now. Rely on Him today.
God bless you,
J.H. Investing in GodPosted May-14-07 06:16:49 PDT The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:7-8
We should live expectantly because we know that Christ is coming soon. Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in love for God and for others. Of course, it is important to pray regularly, and it is also important to reach out to people, to reach the unreached, to tell the untold. Your possessions, status, and power will mean nothing in God's kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people. Invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference. Investing time with those you love is never wasted. Investing time and energy in making the world a better place is what God has placed us here on earth for. Investing in relationships with people is an investment that will have eternal rewards. Begin to make a difference today.
God bless you,
J.H. Don't Give UpPosted May-10-07 06:28:23 PDT Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.
II Chronicles 14:11
If you are facing battles you feel you cannot win, don't give up. In the face of vast hordes of enemy soldiers, Asa prayed for God's help, recognizing his powerlessness against such a mighty army. The secret of victory is first to admit the futility of unaided human effort, and then to trust God to save you. His power works best through those who recognize their own limitations. It is those who think they can do it all on their own who are in the greatest danger. You must first surrender in order to win the ultimate victory. Let go and let God.
God bless you,
J.H. God's Wedding GiftPosted May-09-07 06:24:04 PDT In that day, I will make a covenant . . . I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, and love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
Hosea 2:18-20
The time will come when unfaithfulness will be impossible - God will bind us to himself and his perfect righteousness, justice, love, compassion and faithfulness. Betrothal in Hosea's time was more than a single agreement to marry. It was a binding engagement, a deep commitment between two families for a future, permanent relationship. God was promising a fresh new beginning, not just a temporary rewriting of the tired old agreement. God's wedding gift to his people, yesterday and today, is His compassion. Through no merit of our own, God forgives us and makes us right with Him. There's no way for us by our own efforts to reach God's high standard of moral and spiritual life, but He graciously accepts us, forgives us, and draws us into a relationship with Himself. It is in that relationship that we have personal and intimate communion with Him. And it is through that relationship that we find strength, comfort and the power to live our lives, and life more abundantly.
God Bless you,
J.H. Our Portion ForeverPosted May-08-07 06:19:03 PDT Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Who have I in heaven, but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:23-26
This song was written by Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs. Asaph declares his confidence in God's presence and guidance. From birth to death God has us continually in His grasp. But far more, we have a hope of resurrection. Though our courage and strength may fail, we know that one day we will be raised to life in Him in order to serve Him forever. He is our security, and we must cling to Him, as we trust in Him every day. As we go through life, as we become older in this life, as we gain wisdom, we realize as Solomon did that everything on earth is fleeting: wealth, fame, material possessions. None are fulfilling. None can bring happiness. All are temporary. As we spend time with God, we realize that only He and His desires for us are what give our lives true meaning and purpose. We must look to Him for strength today and everyday. He is our portion forever.
God bless you,
J.H. God's PromisesPosted May-07-07 06:13:27 PDT Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, just as He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave to his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us.
1 Kings 8:56-57
Solomon praised the Lord and prayed for the people. The idea behind his prayer can be a pattern for us. We often seek rest and comfort in times of trial, and Solomon is simply claiming God's promise to provide it. Many of the promises to the Jewish people were made through Moses, and Solomon is demonstrating his knowledge of the Scriptures as he claims promises of God as they were made through "our fathers." Based on this promise, you and I have the right to ask for, and the right to expect, God's presence in our lives each and every day. He is with us, in spite of the fact that we feel alone, weak, or disconnected. All we have to do is remember to pray as Solomon did. God's promises are as true today as they were in the time of Moses. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
God Bless you,
J.H. Endurance and FaithPosted May-04-07 08:00:35 PDT Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus said to rejoice when we are persecuted. Persecution serves a distinct purpose in our lives, because it takes our eyes off earthly rewards, it strips away superficial belief, it strengthens the faith of those who endure, and our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow. We can be comforted to know that God's greatest prophets were also persecuted for their faith (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future, God will reward the faithful by receiving them into his eternal kingdom, where there is no more persecution, no more pain, no more sadness. Through this trial and every trial, we must stand and represent Him who gives us life, and life more abundantly. To Him be the Glory. Amen.
God Bless you,
J.H. Trust HimPosted May-03-07 06:22:54 PDT For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:11-14
East and West can never meet. This is a symbolic portrait of God's forgiveness - when He forgives our sin, He separates it from us and does not even remember it. We need never wallow in the past, for God forgives and forgets. We tend to dredge up the past, as ugly as it may be, but God has wiped our record clean. If we are to follow God, we must learn to model his forgiveness. When we forgive another, we must also forget the sin. Otherwise, we have not truly forgiven. And we must also learn to forgive ourselves for things we have done. We cannot continue to beat ourselves up over things we know we should not have done. We must accept our mistakes and move on. God's love and care is eternal. Too often we focus on God as judge and law giver, ignoring his compassion and concern for us. When God examines our lives, he remembers our human condition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification for sin. His mercy takes everything into account. God will deal with you compassionately. Trust him.
God bless you,
J.H. He Will Work It OutPosted May-02-07 06:16:48 PDT Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen
Romans 11:33-36
This doxology is a prayer of praise to God for the wisdom of His plan. Although God's methods and means are beyond our comprehension, God himself is not arbitrary. He governs the universe and our lives in perfect wisdom, justice, and love. The implication of these questions is that no one has fully understood the mind of the Lord. No one has been His counselor. And God owes nothing to anyone of us. Isaiah and Jeremiah asked similar questions to show that we are unable to give advice to God or criticize His ways. God alone is a possessor of absolute power and absolute wisdom. In the final analysis, all of us are absolutely dependent on God. He is the source of all things, including ourselves. He is the power that sustains and rules the world that we live in. And God works out all things to bring glory to Himself. The all-powerful God of the universe deserves our praise and adoration. Praise Him today for what He has done and what He is doing and what He will do. He will work it out.
God Bless you,
J.H. |
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