January 8, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: Ministry In Pain
Passage of the Day: Genesis 40: 1 - 3 1 It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. 3 So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll reminds me of a truth in this day’s devotional from his book, Great Days with the Great Lives, from which I’ve been studying the life and times of Joseph this month. He points out that often believers, i.e., fellow Christians, find that God has “arranged,” by His awesome timing and Spirit-driven “engineering,” for just the right person or people to be brought into the life of someone who’s experiencing physical or emotional pain or need. Or maybe the Lord arranges for you, with just the right empathy or skill set, to be joined in God’s timing with another who needs what you can give to them to minister to their needs.
That is the case in today’s highlight passage from Gen. 40. Here were two key figures from Pharaoh’s court, his butler and baker, who had, for some reason angered the king; and Pharaoh, having the power to do so, threw these two in prison. And lo and behold, the two landed in prison with Joseph who, if you read on in Gen. 40, had just right God-given abilities to minister to these two. Now as it later turned out Joseph would only be able to reach out to give one of the two comforting news. To the other he would have to prophesy his death. But it was God who clearly brought these two men together with Joseph for God’s later purposes.
Have you ever been in need of comfort or help or direction; and all of sudden there was just the right person who came into your life to give you a lift or directions or help? Or maybe someone’s need was presented to you; and it was clear that God had brought this person before you because you were THE person who could minister to that one’s need.
I have been on both sides of this scenario; and I recall back to 1983 when I was in a spiritual wasteland, recognizing how spiritually weak I was. And one morning a Christian friend, who had heard me speak of my needs, loaned me a cassette tape where I “just happened” to hear a message by a quadriplegic young man who said that he got his strength from Christ. And on that very morning when I heard that tape on the way to work, I arrived at my desk to find a pamphlet lying there, which read, “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me the strength. … Phil. 4: 13.” I then looked at my digital desk clock, which read the month and the day as 4 – 13 [It was April 13th]; and in that moment of “coincidence,” which had been administered by two separate people who gave me the tape and the pamphlet with God’s timing to break me to my core, I went from being an agnostic to a believer; and my life has never been the same.
Never underestimate how God can bring you into the life of someone who needs exactly what you can offer that needy person. Or when you’re down or out, be praying for and on the alert for just the right person to be brought your way by God to address your needs. God’s good at that; so, let Him be the merciful and graceful God He is.
My Prayer Today: Lord, I praise you for your grace in doing for your children what we many times cannot do for ourselves. Amen
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
2009 - Day 7 - God's Strategy
January 7, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: God’s Strategy
Passage of the Day: Genesis 39: 20b - 23 But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever been in a place where you FEEL that God has taken a hike; … like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling; … like you’ve been left out to dry by your Lord? Aw, common; I’ll bet you have. I certainly have.
Well, others in the Bible were certainly in that place. I think of Elijah (in 1st Kings 19: 4) where he was in that “woe is me” place, asking for God to take his life. Jonah certainly felt abandoned by God down in the belly of that great fish. The great and powerful Moses got to a place where he wanted to die rather than go on. In the NT, Paul has the “woe is me” syndrome in Romans 7. All of these great men of the faith, came to a low place in their lives where they felt impotent and alone, not being able to see God at work in their lives. But not Joseph.
And that’s why I believe that Joseph is a type of Christ in the OT. Joseph ALWAYS put the will of the Father first in his life, no matter what the circumstances were. And in today’s passage we see that he’s been unfairly put in the slammer due to the scheming of Potiphar’s wife; and yet, he looks for God to do business in his life in spite of a woeful set of circumstances. And though this took place centuries before Joseph’s Messiah would come onto the scene in this world, somehow Joseph, I believe led by the Holy Spirit, was able to fulfill the later command of His Lord to “… seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” [You probably have Matt. 6: 33 memorized; don’t you?]
Joseph always was able to have faith that God was there with him and would guide him and deliver him. And that’s exactly what happened in this prison experience. And not only did Joseph prevail; he prospered. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners; and trusted him enough to not even supervise his interactions in the prison. And I believe this speaks volumes about how God can - and will - use His servants when they are tested/tried in the fires of life and have an attitude like that of Christ in the midst of the testing.
When we respond to dire circumstance with humility and childlike faith, as did Joseph and as did Christ, I believe God pours His enabling grace and power into the life of the faithful one. That’s why we read of Romans 8 following the downer Paul, who disclaimed woe in Romans 7. That’s why we read Psalm 51 and 32 documenting David’s rise back to the favor and power of the Lord after the Bathsheba debacle. But Joseph didn’t have those downer times, because he just never relented to “woe is me” FEELINGS. I capitalize the word “feelings” here and “feel” above in my first paragraph, because our selfish human feelings can be tripping points into an attitude where God cannot pour His grace and power into our lives, giving us the power to prevail during ill begotten circumstances.
Joseph prospered in his dire set of circumstances because he just trusted that God was in control and that His Lord would be with him there in prison. It’s an example, as I’ve written before, of whether we can truly believe such truths as Romans 8: 28 or 1st Cor. 10: 13 (which I hope you have in your heart by now). If we believed and surrendered our will and feelings to God, it gives our Lord the signal of obedience to pour all the enabling grace we need to prevail and even to prosper as Joseph did.
Right now, as I type this, 2nd Peter 1: 2 – 4 bubbles into my consciousness, which states …
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, ...
That’s God’s truth, which was spoken hundreds of after Joseph; but he still believed it and lived it in his day. The question is, "WILL I?”
My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to be humble so that you can pour Your grace into my life and I can prevail, … even in the worst of circumstances. Amen
Passage of the Day: Genesis 39: 20b - 23 But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever been in a place where you FEEL that God has taken a hike; … like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling; … like you’ve been left out to dry by your Lord? Aw, common; I’ll bet you have. I certainly have.
Well, others in the Bible were certainly in that place. I think of Elijah (in 1st Kings 19: 4) where he was in that “woe is me” place, asking for God to take his life. Jonah certainly felt abandoned by God down in the belly of that great fish. The great and powerful Moses got to a place where he wanted to die rather than go on. In the NT, Paul has the “woe is me” syndrome in Romans 7. All of these great men of the faith, came to a low place in their lives where they felt impotent and alone, not being able to see God at work in their lives. But not Joseph.
And that’s why I believe that Joseph is a type of Christ in the OT. Joseph ALWAYS put the will of the Father first in his life, no matter what the circumstances were. And in today’s passage we see that he’s been unfairly put in the slammer due to the scheming of Potiphar’s wife; and yet, he looks for God to do business in his life in spite of a woeful set of circumstances. And though this took place centuries before Joseph’s Messiah would come onto the scene in this world, somehow Joseph, I believe led by the Holy Spirit, was able to fulfill the later command of His Lord to “… seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” [You probably have Matt. 6: 33 memorized; don’t you?]
Joseph always was able to have faith that God was there with him and would guide him and deliver him. And that’s exactly what happened in this prison experience. And not only did Joseph prevail; he prospered. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of the other prisoners; and trusted him enough to not even supervise his interactions in the prison. And I believe this speaks volumes about how God can - and will - use His servants when they are tested/tried in the fires of life and have an attitude like that of Christ in the midst of the testing.
When we respond to dire circumstance with humility and childlike faith, as did Joseph and as did Christ, I believe God pours His enabling grace and power into the life of the faithful one. That’s why we read of Romans 8 following the downer Paul, who disclaimed woe in Romans 7. That’s why we read Psalm 51 and 32 documenting David’s rise back to the favor and power of the Lord after the Bathsheba debacle. But Joseph didn’t have those downer times, because he just never relented to “woe is me” FEELINGS. I capitalize the word “feelings” here and “feel” above in my first paragraph, because our selfish human feelings can be tripping points into an attitude where God cannot pour His grace and power into our lives, giving us the power to prevail during ill begotten circumstances.
Joseph prospered in his dire set of circumstances because he just trusted that God was in control and that His Lord would be with him there in prison. It’s an example, as I’ve written before, of whether we can truly believe such truths as Romans 8: 28 or 1st Cor. 10: 13 (which I hope you have in your heart by now). If we believed and surrendered our will and feelings to God, it gives our Lord the signal of obedience to pour all the enabling grace we need to prevail and even to prosper as Joseph did.
Right now, as I type this, 2nd Peter 1: 2 – 4 bubbles into my consciousness, which states …
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, ...
That’s God’s truth, which was spoken hundreds of after Joseph; but he still believed it and lived it in his day. The question is, "WILL I?”
My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to be humble so that you can pour Your grace into my life and I can prevail, … even in the worst of circumstances. Amen
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
2009 - Day 6 - God's Unknown Ways
January 6, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: God’s Unknown Ways
Passage of the Day: Genesis 39: 19 - 23 19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.
My Journal for Today: Perhaps you think you’re having a bad time in life. Things have not gone your way. Maybe circumstances seem like they are Satanic oppression. Perhaps someone or some organization is treating you unfairly. And having read the passage above, I think you know where I’m going with this.
Yeah, … if anyone was treated unfairly; … if anyone had experienced unjust or unfair circumstances in life; … if anyone was ever at the mercy of oppressive forces in life, … it was Joseph. Sold into slavery by hateful, jealous brothers; … restricted in his freedom to live; … forced into prison by a scheming woman and a master who believed her lies. If anyone ever had human reasons to say, “Hey, what’s up, God?!;” it’s Joseph. But as Swindoll points out for our edification and growth in today’s devotional reading from Great Days with the Great Lives, we need to remember the words of Isaiah 55: 8 – 9, which states [NKJV]…
8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
If you believe, as do I, that this is God’s absolute truth (see 2nd Tim. 3: 16), we need to recognize and acknowledge the contrasts in this passage, as apparently Joseph knew and understood.
We base many of our perceptions of life circumstances on human fairness. Note I say “HUMAN fairness.” And there are times when we simply don’t get it … i.e., God’s ways. We don’t understand God’s thinking in the midst of trying circumstances. We want to cry out, “What’s going on, Lord?!” But we need to recognize that God is God and we are not! And we’re also confronted with the belief/faith challenge as to whether, as Christians, we believe and are going to accept the truth in Romans 8: 28. I’ll link you here to that one [hyperlinked]; but I hope you know it by heart.
Yes, as with Joseph, there are times when God’s ways are simply and inexplicably His; and we become challenged to believe that God is in control and that He’s working things out for our good … even if we are unfairly thrown into the pits of life. I hope you believe and live out the truth of Heb. 13: 5, which is quoted from the OT (Deut. 31: 6, 8 and Joshua 1: 5) that God is in control and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Apparently Joseph not only knew but believed and lived in these truths. Certainly how he lived onward and upward in the face of the challenges we’ve been studying in his life is an example of having faith in God’s sovereign control in life. But I have to ask myself, “Do I believe and live that truth?”
My Prayer Today: My Lord, you are God and I am not! Amen
Passage of the Day: Genesis 39: 19 - 23 19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.
My Journal for Today: Perhaps you think you’re having a bad time in life. Things have not gone your way. Maybe circumstances seem like they are Satanic oppression. Perhaps someone or some organization is treating you unfairly. And having read the passage above, I think you know where I’m going with this.
Yeah, … if anyone was treated unfairly; … if anyone had experienced unjust or unfair circumstances in life; … if anyone was ever at the mercy of oppressive forces in life, … it was Joseph. Sold into slavery by hateful, jealous brothers; … restricted in his freedom to live; … forced into prison by a scheming woman and a master who believed her lies. If anyone ever had human reasons to say, “Hey, what’s up, God?!;” it’s Joseph. But as Swindoll points out for our edification and growth in today’s devotional reading from Great Days with the Great Lives, we need to remember the words of Isaiah 55: 8 – 9, which states [NKJV]…
8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
If you believe, as do I, that this is God’s absolute truth (see 2nd Tim. 3: 16), we need to recognize and acknowledge the contrasts in this passage, as apparently Joseph knew and understood.
We base many of our perceptions of life circumstances on human fairness. Note I say “HUMAN fairness.” And there are times when we simply don’t get it … i.e., God’s ways. We don’t understand God’s thinking in the midst of trying circumstances. We want to cry out, “What’s going on, Lord?!” But we need to recognize that God is God and we are not! And we’re also confronted with the belief/faith challenge as to whether, as Christians, we believe and are going to accept the truth in Romans 8: 28. I’ll link you here to that one [hyperlinked]; but I hope you know it by heart.
Yes, as with Joseph, there are times when God’s ways are simply and inexplicably His; and we become challenged to believe that God is in control and that He’s working things out for our good … even if we are unfairly thrown into the pits of life. I hope you believe and live out the truth of Heb. 13: 5, which is quoted from the OT (Deut. 31: 6, 8 and Joshua 1: 5) that God is in control and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Apparently Joseph not only knew but believed and lived in these truths. Certainly how he lived onward and upward in the face of the challenges we’ve been studying in his life is an example of having faith in God’s sovereign control in life. But I have to ask myself, “Do I believe and live that truth?”
My Prayer Today: My Lord, you are God and I am not! Amen
Monday, January 05, 2009
2009 - Day 5 - The Personal Ramifications
January 5, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: The Personal Ramifications
Passage of the Day: Genesis 39: 19 – 23 19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.
What must Joseph have been thinking when, after doing the right thing, he was incarcerated by his master, who believed the lies of his scheming and unfaithful wife. Yet, even then Joseph sensed and believed that God was in the midst of his circumstances; and he let God work out the details and did all he could to remain steadfast and be a good servant of his Lord.
Swindoll points out that ultimately the personal ramifications for impurity or infidelity are too high for any Christian to yield to temptation, especially like that Joseph had encountered, … the very personal temptation which sexual lures present in our lives. Swindoll writes, mostly to married Christian men, “The greatest gift you can give to your marriage partner is your purity, … your fidelity. The greatest character trait you can provide your spouse and your family is moral and ethical self control.” And to this, especially having been delivered by God from years of habitual sexual sin to lead BattlePlan Ministries, I would proclaim a very loud “AMEN!!!”
Even if one’s resistance of temptation is misperceived by the world, as it was in Joseph’s case. Even when one is unjustly punished by the world, as it was for Joseph; God will never abandon – and will actually honor – the steadfast believer who runs from temptation to glorify God. And we see that is what transpired for Joseph. God, in His timing, took a bad set of circumstances, i.e., Joseph’s conviction and incarceration, and raised up Joseph to serve the Lord in prison. And later, reading ahead to Gen. 41, we’ll see that these circumstances seasoned and grew Joseph to serve Pharaoh and to glorify God even more with a life of purity, self-control, and forgiveness.
Again Swindoll’s wise words from his devotional entry for this day: “Whatever your situation, no matter how alluring or pleasurable or momentarily delightful the bait looks, don’t linger. Claim the supernatural strength that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and, operating under the control of His power, stand strong in His might. … Determine to be a Joseph. Make up your mind to join God’s ranks - … resist. … Otherwise, you will yield. It’s only a matter of time.”
And these are very wise words. Having been there … and done that … on both sides of that fence, I know!
My Prayer Today: Steel me to resist the lures of my enemies, Lord. Let my life be a witness of self control in Your Name. Amen
Passage of the Day: Genesis 39: 19 – 23 19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.
What must Joseph have been thinking when, after doing the right thing, he was incarcerated by his master, who believed the lies of his scheming and unfaithful wife. Yet, even then Joseph sensed and believed that God was in the midst of his circumstances; and he let God work out the details and did all he could to remain steadfast and be a good servant of his Lord.
Swindoll points out that ultimately the personal ramifications for impurity or infidelity are too high for any Christian to yield to temptation, especially like that Joseph had encountered, … the very personal temptation which sexual lures present in our lives. Swindoll writes, mostly to married Christian men, “The greatest gift you can give to your marriage partner is your purity, … your fidelity. The greatest character trait you can provide your spouse and your family is moral and ethical self control.” And to this, especially having been delivered by God from years of habitual sexual sin to lead BattlePlan Ministries, I would proclaim a very loud “AMEN!!!”
Even if one’s resistance of temptation is misperceived by the world, as it was in Joseph’s case. Even when one is unjustly punished by the world, as it was for Joseph; God will never abandon – and will actually honor – the steadfast believer who runs from temptation to glorify God. And we see that is what transpired for Joseph. God, in His timing, took a bad set of circumstances, i.e., Joseph’s conviction and incarceration, and raised up Joseph to serve the Lord in prison. And later, reading ahead to Gen. 41, we’ll see that these circumstances seasoned and grew Joseph to serve Pharaoh and to glorify God even more with a life of purity, self-control, and forgiveness.
Again Swindoll’s wise words from his devotional entry for this day: “Whatever your situation, no matter how alluring or pleasurable or momentarily delightful the bait looks, don’t linger. Claim the supernatural strength that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and, operating under the control of His power, stand strong in His might. … Determine to be a Joseph. Make up your mind to join God’s ranks - … resist. … Otherwise, you will yield. It’s only a matter of time.”
And these are very wise words. Having been there … and done that … on both sides of that fence, I know!
My Prayer Today: Steel me to resist the lures of my enemies, Lord. Let my life be a witness of self control in Your Name. Amen
Sunday, January 04, 2009
2009 - Day 4 - Run for Your Life!
January 4, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: Run for Your Life!
Passage of the Day: Gen. 39: 6 - 18 [For the sake of space in this journal entry, I will leave it to any reader to digest and mediate on this passage. I will link you here to this passage . ]
My Journal for Today: Any readers with me have probably read the highlight passage cited today. And for those who are involved in the ministry I’m called to lead, BattlePlan Ministry, this passage reveals one of our primary battle strategies … to run for your life in the face of sensual temptations.
Swindoll: “The appeal of sensual lust works like a magnet, drawing two ‘sudden and fierce’ forces toward one another – the inner desire and the outer bait.” And our devotional author is right, … one cannot escape the lure of sexual temptation in today’s world. It’s all around us; and it continually and persistently baits us to succumb to its lure. This was Joseph’s problem from an aggressive and lustful pursuit from Potiphar’s wife. This lovely lass not only came on to Joseph; but she came after him; and finally, after Joseph had resisted her advances over and over, the wife of Joseph’s master, who had been stalking her prey for some time, got him into a very compromising situation. And Joseph’s reaction was a model of what ours should be. He cut … and ran!
In BattlePlan Ministries, we call this the “2.2:22” battle strategy. And this comes from a NT passage, 2nd Tim. 2: 22, which says, “Flee … youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness,… " In life and reality, fleeing any sin choice which lures our sensual sin nature should be our first line of defense. Joseph’s example should be our first choice of action when (not if) we are tempted toward sexual sin. That should have been David’s response when he looked over his balcony that day and saw the lovely Bathsheba bathing; but he pondered there, taking in that sensual sight; and we know the rest of that story and the results of David not fleeing from his own lustful heart.
We need not dwell on this. As the old Nike commercial used to say, “Just do it!” And if you know that you have a past history of falling prey to sensual temptations, do all you can PROACTIVELY to develop specific – yes, even written – battle strategies on how you’re going to avoid potential lures in your life. Some of these may be repetitive “triggers;” and if that’s the case you can do some preplanning to develop “cut-n-run” strategies. Yes, … there may be time when you have to stand and fight; and that lesson is for another day because Christians can fight and win such battles. But once again, the first thing to do is to RUN, RUN, RUN!!!
Swindoll has a very practical note at the end of his devotional today; and I reinforce what he writes with my experience as well. He posits, “I have discovered you cannot yield to sensuality if you’re running away from it. So? Run for your life! Get out of there! If you try to reason with lust or play around with sensual thoughts, you will finally yield. You can’t fight it. That’s why the Spirit of God forcefully commands, ‘Run!’”
I need say no more.
My Prayer Today: My Savior, this is a lesson to which I must continually surrender my will to Yours. So, Lord, show me the way to run first and think later! Amen
Passage of the Day: Gen. 39: 6 - 18 [For the sake of space in this journal entry, I will leave it to any reader to digest and mediate on this passage. I will link you here to this passage . ]
My Journal for Today: Any readers with me have probably read the highlight passage cited today. And for those who are involved in the ministry I’m called to lead, BattlePlan Ministry, this passage reveals one of our primary battle strategies … to run for your life in the face of sensual temptations.
Swindoll: “The appeal of sensual lust works like a magnet, drawing two ‘sudden and fierce’ forces toward one another – the inner desire and the outer bait.” And our devotional author is right, … one cannot escape the lure of sexual temptation in today’s world. It’s all around us; and it continually and persistently baits us to succumb to its lure. This was Joseph’s problem from an aggressive and lustful pursuit from Potiphar’s wife. This lovely lass not only came on to Joseph; but she came after him; and finally, after Joseph had resisted her advances over and over, the wife of Joseph’s master, who had been stalking her prey for some time, got him into a very compromising situation. And Joseph’s reaction was a model of what ours should be. He cut … and ran!
In BattlePlan Ministries, we call this the “2.2:22” battle strategy. And this comes from a NT passage, 2nd Tim. 2: 22, which says, “Flee … youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness,… " In life and reality, fleeing any sin choice which lures our sensual sin nature should be our first line of defense. Joseph’s example should be our first choice of action when (not if) we are tempted toward sexual sin. That should have been David’s response when he looked over his balcony that day and saw the lovely Bathsheba bathing; but he pondered there, taking in that sensual sight; and we know the rest of that story and the results of David not fleeing from his own lustful heart.
We need not dwell on this. As the old Nike commercial used to say, “Just do it!” And if you know that you have a past history of falling prey to sensual temptations, do all you can PROACTIVELY to develop specific – yes, even written – battle strategies on how you’re going to avoid potential lures in your life. Some of these may be repetitive “triggers;” and if that’s the case you can do some preplanning to develop “cut-n-run” strategies. Yes, … there may be time when you have to stand and fight; and that lesson is for another day because Christians can fight and win such battles. But once again, the first thing to do is to RUN, RUN, RUN!!!
Swindoll has a very practical note at the end of his devotional today; and I reinforce what he writes with my experience as well. He posits, “I have discovered you cannot yield to sensuality if you’re running away from it. So? Run for your life! Get out of there! If you try to reason with lust or play around with sensual thoughts, you will finally yield. You can’t fight it. That’s why the Spirit of God forcefully commands, ‘Run!’”
I need say no more.
My Prayer Today: My Savior, this is a lesson to which I must continually surrender my will to Yours. So, Lord, show me the way to run first and think later! Amen
Saturday, January 03, 2009
2009 - Day 3 - Temptations of Prosperity
January 3, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: Temptations of Prosperity
Passage of the Day: Genesis 37: 36 ... 36 Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
Genesis 39: 1 – 6 … 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll, in his devotional entry for today, has hit a nail of truth right on the head; and it’s one I have to remain vigilant about continually. The truth is that the temptations of life seem to come much more readily and with more potency in times of success rather than in times of trial.
To make the point, Swindoll quotes F. B. Meyer, whom he believes writes insightfully, saying, “We may expect temptation in the days of prosperity and ease rather than those of privation and toil … not where men frown, but where they smile sweet smiles of flattery – it is there, that the temptress lies in wait! Beware!”
And to this wise man, I would say a hearty “AMEN!” However Swindoll’s January 3 devotional goes on and quotes the Scottish essayist, Thomas Carlyle, who, on this matter, wrote, “Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there a hundred that will stand adversity.”
And I say another “AMEN!” Like me, I’d almost bet (if I were a betting man) that any who read here can think of many lessons of life which you have learned from testing and trial; but it’s hard to conjure up any jewels of wisdom which have been uncovered from times of success … other than how some of our worst times of temptation have come during those times when we were riding high with success and self confidence.
For the Christian, as for a believer like Joseph, when we are feeling as if God has smiled on us with success, we should learn to hoist and fly the red flag of danger; because I believe that it is in these times of success, especially prosperity as viewed by the world, that we become the most vulnerable to our own pride. And I would hope by now that my readers here have learned the truth of Prov. 3: 34, which was quoted in the NT writings of James 4: 6 and 1st Peter 5: 6-7. Those would be good truths to bury deeply in your heart as they proclaim that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Think about that. I would assume that you, like me, desire to have as much of God’s enabling grace as you can glean from your relationship with the Lord. Well, if we go by the truth of Prov. 3: 34, and we know that worldly success breeds pride, we should be in full DANGER ALERT when the good times roll in our lives.
It’s not that we should court privation or to avoid success as the world sees prosperity. But what we should be courting is Godly success and prosperity; and that is being able to carry out the will of God for our lives, … not being judged by worldly standards of success. In fact my own personal definition of success is as follows: … SUCCESS IS THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE. I’m learning – now in my gray-haired years – to become vigilant and guarded when the circumstances of life pour worldly success my way. I want to know what God’s direction is for my life (see Prov. 3: 5-6); and if I’m following my Lord (see Luke 9: 23), I KNOW that I’m a success in God’s eyes.
So, how does one do that? Well, I have to believe that Joseph was a man of God’s word; because I know and I’ve lived in the truth of Joshua 1: 8. You go look that one up and meditate on Gods’ truth from this passage. It gives God’s prescription for success in following God’s will; and that certainly is a good way to begin or to be recommitted toward in this New Year. And it is to that end, I will pursue God’s will, in His way, from His word.
My Prayer Today: Lord, … help me to be vigilant and wary of worldly tokens of success. Stay with me in Your word so that I may find and stay the course with Your will for my life. In doing that, I know I will be a success in Your eyes. Amen
Passage of the Day: Genesis 37: 36 ... 36 Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
Genesis 39: 1 – 6 … 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
My Journal for Today: Chuck Swindoll, in his devotional entry for today, has hit a nail of truth right on the head; and it’s one I have to remain vigilant about continually. The truth is that the temptations of life seem to come much more readily and with more potency in times of success rather than in times of trial.
To make the point, Swindoll quotes F. B. Meyer, whom he believes writes insightfully, saying, “We may expect temptation in the days of prosperity and ease rather than those of privation and toil … not where men frown, but where they smile sweet smiles of flattery – it is there, that the temptress lies in wait! Beware!”
And to this wise man, I would say a hearty “AMEN!” However Swindoll’s January 3 devotional goes on and quotes the Scottish essayist, Thomas Carlyle, who, on this matter, wrote, “Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there a hundred that will stand adversity.”
And I say another “AMEN!” Like me, I’d almost bet (if I were a betting man) that any who read here can think of many lessons of life which you have learned from testing and trial; but it’s hard to conjure up any jewels of wisdom which have been uncovered from times of success … other than how some of our worst times of temptation have come during those times when we were riding high with success and self confidence.
For the Christian, as for a believer like Joseph, when we are feeling as if God has smiled on us with success, we should learn to hoist and fly the red flag of danger; because I believe that it is in these times of success, especially prosperity as viewed by the world, that we become the most vulnerable to our own pride. And I would hope by now that my readers here have learned the truth of Prov. 3: 34, which was quoted in the NT writings of James 4: 6 and 1st Peter 5: 6-7. Those would be good truths to bury deeply in your heart as they proclaim that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Think about that. I would assume that you, like me, desire to have as much of God’s enabling grace as you can glean from your relationship with the Lord. Well, if we go by the truth of Prov. 3: 34, and we know that worldly success breeds pride, we should be in full DANGER ALERT when the good times roll in our lives.
It’s not that we should court privation or to avoid success as the world sees prosperity. But what we should be courting is Godly success and prosperity; and that is being able to carry out the will of God for our lives, … not being judged by worldly standards of success. In fact my own personal definition of success is as follows: … SUCCESS IS THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE. I’m learning – now in my gray-haired years – to become vigilant and guarded when the circumstances of life pour worldly success my way. I want to know what God’s direction is for my life (see Prov. 3: 5-6); and if I’m following my Lord (see Luke 9: 23), I KNOW that I’m a success in God’s eyes.
So, how does one do that? Well, I have to believe that Joseph was a man of God’s word; because I know and I’ve lived in the truth of Joshua 1: 8. You go look that one up and meditate on Gods’ truth from this passage. It gives God’s prescription for success in following God’s will; and that certainly is a good way to begin or to be recommitted toward in this New Year. And it is to that end, I will pursue God’s will, in His way, from His word.
My Prayer Today: Lord, … help me to be vigilant and wary of worldly tokens of success. Stay with me in Your word so that I may find and stay the course with Your will for my life. In doing that, I know I will be a success in Your eyes. Amen
Friday, January 02, 2009
2009 - Day 2 - Lessons in Adversity
January 2, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: Lessons In Adversity
Passage of the Day: Gen. 37: 5 - 36 [For the sake of space in this journal entry, I will leave it to any reader to digest and mediate on this passage, especially noting the verses referenced in today’s journal below. Let me link you to Genesis 37 - NKJV - for your mediation.]
My Journal for Today: For any readers here, I know that’s a long passage; and yes, reading through the Old Testament telling of Joseph’s life does take some time. But agreeing with Swindoll in his devotional for this date in Great Days with the Great Lives, we learn that following Joseph and his family teaches us some significant lessons, especially those of us who are parents or grandparents.
First, we read in today’s passage that families, especially parents, cannot allow passivity to creep into the parenting of children. Reading in Genesis 37 we see that Jacob, the head of his family, did little to intervene when he learned that Joseph had a dream which inflamed Joseph’s brothers. And anytime a parent allows a matter like this to fester and grow in a family, the result could, and usually does, lead to bad outcomes in time. And we certainly read what happens when Jacob set aside this issue of Jacob’s dream, merely keeping them in mind and taking no parental leadership to quell the envy which resulted. (see v. 10)
Secondly, v. 10 also shows us that Jacob knew of the envy of Jacob’s brothers for the younger Joseph; and as I’ve indicated, he did little or nothing to deal with this jealousy. Take it from experience, there is likely no greater emotional cancer that can destroy relationships any more that jealousy. And we see how this cancer, unchecked or abated by Jacob in his family, grew into a destructive force for Joseph’s brothers, finally leading them to sell him into slavery in Egypt. No parent can stand by in passivity and do nothing when he/she sees that envy or jealousy has reared its destructive head. Like any cancer it must be quickly and effectively cut out, even if it means ruffled or hurt feelings in the process.
But even learning those lessons from the negatives, we can speculate from today’s reference passage about one powerful process which showed itself when adversity came into Jacob’s family; and that was how Jacob and Joseph turned to God when they were overwhelmed with either grief, as in Jacob’s circumstances with his perceived loss of a child or with a horrible miscarriage of justice which Joseph faced when he was sold into slavery by his brothers.
Though it is not directly explained in today’s passage, we know from Hebrew tradition and religious culture that when a grieving Hebrew father tore his clothes and put on sack cloth to grieve (see v. 34), this was ALWAYS accompanied by prayer. And also in Joseph’s condition of family loss, I can only imagine, with the faith we know that Joseph exhibited in the Genesis account of his life, that he turned his condition over to God in prayer. And we’ll see, later in this study (reading ahead a bit as I have), that Joseph’s prayers would ultimately be answered in the reuniting of his family.
So, as a parent and grandparent, I learn from this passage, and the witness of these lives, that we parents cannot passively stand by and do nothing when we see a spirit of jealousy creep in to our family to damage the relationships of those in our family. We must act swiftly, and the most important part of this action should be prayer, surrendering our actions and decisions to God’s guidance and direction.
This, to me, as a Christian parent, is a lesson we learn from a truth like that from Prov. 3: 5 – 6, which exhorts believers to trust God, leaning on HIS leading, and decisively taking action to follow God’s lead. And all of Psalm 119 cries out to follow God’s word in this process, being obedient to its truth and letting God’s truth guide us out of passivity into Godly decisions and actions.
My Prayer Today: Lord, keep me from being passive when I see ungodliness growing in my family. Help me to follow the light of Your truth; and to lead in my family to honor and glorify Your Name. Amen
Passage of the Day: Gen. 37: 5 - 36 [For the sake of space in this journal entry, I will leave it to any reader to digest and mediate on this passage, especially noting the verses referenced in today’s journal below. Let me link you to Genesis 37 - NKJV - for your mediation.]
My Journal for Today: For any readers here, I know that’s a long passage; and yes, reading through the Old Testament telling of Joseph’s life does take some time. But agreeing with Swindoll in his devotional for this date in Great Days with the Great Lives, we learn that following Joseph and his family teaches us some significant lessons, especially those of us who are parents or grandparents.
First, we read in today’s passage that families, especially parents, cannot allow passivity to creep into the parenting of children. Reading in Genesis 37 we see that Jacob, the head of his family, did little to intervene when he learned that Joseph had a dream which inflamed Joseph’s brothers. And anytime a parent allows a matter like this to fester and grow in a family, the result could, and usually does, lead to bad outcomes in time. And we certainly read what happens when Jacob set aside this issue of Jacob’s dream, merely keeping them in mind and taking no parental leadership to quell the envy which resulted. (see v. 10)
Secondly, v. 10 also shows us that Jacob knew of the envy of Jacob’s brothers for the younger Joseph; and as I’ve indicated, he did little or nothing to deal with this jealousy. Take it from experience, there is likely no greater emotional cancer that can destroy relationships any more that jealousy. And we see how this cancer, unchecked or abated by Jacob in his family, grew into a destructive force for Joseph’s brothers, finally leading them to sell him into slavery in Egypt. No parent can stand by in passivity and do nothing when he/she sees that envy or jealousy has reared its destructive head. Like any cancer it must be quickly and effectively cut out, even if it means ruffled or hurt feelings in the process.
But even learning those lessons from the negatives, we can speculate from today’s reference passage about one powerful process which showed itself when adversity came into Jacob’s family; and that was how Jacob and Joseph turned to God when they were overwhelmed with either grief, as in Jacob’s circumstances with his perceived loss of a child or with a horrible miscarriage of justice which Joseph faced when he was sold into slavery by his brothers.
Though it is not directly explained in today’s passage, we know from Hebrew tradition and religious culture that when a grieving Hebrew father tore his clothes and put on sack cloth to grieve (see v. 34), this was ALWAYS accompanied by prayer. And also in Joseph’s condition of family loss, I can only imagine, with the faith we know that Joseph exhibited in the Genesis account of his life, that he turned his condition over to God in prayer. And we’ll see, later in this study (reading ahead a bit as I have), that Joseph’s prayers would ultimately be answered in the reuniting of his family.
So, as a parent and grandparent, I learn from this passage, and the witness of these lives, that we parents cannot passively stand by and do nothing when we see a spirit of jealousy creep in to our family to damage the relationships of those in our family. We must act swiftly, and the most important part of this action should be prayer, surrendering our actions and decisions to God’s guidance and direction.
This, to me, as a Christian parent, is a lesson we learn from a truth like that from Prov. 3: 5 – 6, which exhorts believers to trust God, leaning on HIS leading, and decisively taking action to follow God’s lead. And all of Psalm 119 cries out to follow God’s word in this process, being obedient to its truth and letting God’s truth guide us out of passivity into Godly decisions and actions.
My Prayer Today: Lord, keep me from being passive when I see ungodliness growing in my family. Help me to follow the light of Your truth; and to lead in my family to honor and glorify Your Name. Amen
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2009 - Day 1 - God's Training Manual
For the New Year …
An Introduction for my Devotional Journal: For five years I used one devotional book, Strength For Today, authored by John MacArthur in 1997. It has gotten a bit tattered and torn; but it served me well in these last few years to go deeper and deeper into my relationship with Christ; and I believe it did, in fact, help to build more strength into my Christian walk. I’ve used other good devotional books in the past, authored by Christian luminaries like Billy Graham, Oswald Chambers, Charles Spurgeon, A. W. Tozer, Joni Eareckson Tada, etc. However, this year I move on to a new book authored by Charles (Chuck) Swindoll, entitled Great Days with the Great Lives.
But some things don’t change. In my daily time with God each morning, it has become my discipline, beginning with morning prayer, to set my devotional table with one overriding prayer request. And in this regard I pray with expectation a prayer based on James 1: 5-6, where the brother of Jesus declares, “ 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." For any who might be reading along with me here, it is my desire, more than anything in my daily quiet time with God, to know Him more on that day than the day before; and over the years, He has shown me that when I come fervently seeking His mind and expecting that He will yield His wisdom to me, He fulfills the promise of those words above from James.
Secondly in prayer, each day I also go through a mental/spiritual ritual of “getting dressed” in God’s full armor, as spelled out in Ephesians 6: 13 - 18. Being the called leader of a world-wide outreach, Battle Plan Ministry, a ministry that is hated by Satan, it is essential that I go into each day fully dressed for spiritual warfare. Therefore, I fortify my battle readiness with this dressing discipline in prayer. I would exhort any devotional warrior to get ready for each day’s battle by putting on the full armor of God (ALL OF IT) and sharpening one’s Spirit Sword; because every day, the battle is on!
Finally, I let the Spirit of God guide me with prayers involving praise, thanks, and supplication which focus on my wife, family, ministry, church, and the many needs of those my life touches. And so, after my initial prayer time, I’m ready to enter into my daily time in God’s word, which has grown to give me an attitude of expectation each day, thinking, “Lord, bring it on! What are You going to bring to my heart and mind today that I can use for my spiritual battle, for growth, and to glorify You?” And He always – and I mean ALWAYS – shows up in my heart and mind to edify me through His word.
Now, as I said above, I will be using Chuck Swindoll’s devotional book to shepherd my daily quest to know God by letting His Spirit lead me through the Holy Scriptures which Swindoll has chosen to illustrate the biblical luminaries he has chosen for his devotional book, as well as those Scriptures God leads me toward in my daily study, the latter being many passages and verses I have memorized over the years. Therefore, my time every morning is always an exciting period of time for me; and I love to let God’s word convict me, shape me, direct me or even rebuke me [as it says in 2nd Tim. 3: 16 – 17 – one of those landmark memory verses which I hope you have memorized]. Sometimes these daily treks into God’s word can be painful; but they are always meaningful.
Now, as it has been my discipline in the past, I will be reading the daily devotional from my focus devotional, in this case Great Days with the Great Lives, meditating on what the author wrote for each day in the context of the biographical topics Swindoll has constructed in his book to help Christians grow in the reader’s (that’s me) relationship with Christ. Each day Swindoll uses a segment from God’s word, many times delving deeply into a passage of scripture to illustrate, in depth, many facets of some of the great characters of the Bible … like Joseph, who will be his focus character for January.
Usually in this daily study, as I’ve done in the past, one will not only find the verse or passage of the day instructive, but there may be a number of other passages of scripture which surface to edify a seeker like me (or maybe you) in building a stronger relationship with Christ. Delving into these scriptures and letting God’s Spirit guide my steps has always produced, with my devotional author’s help, a fresh look at the God, Whom I so desperately desire to know and serve. Each day, after reading from Swindoll’s devotional and mediating on God’s word, I will write my own interpretation [i.e., my journal entry], focusing in my journaling on what God was saying to me personally that very day. Each month, therefore, I will have a journal of God’s application from His word with Swindoll’s teaching and shepherding of the topic which he had chosen to use to help me (and other Christian readers) grow in my (our) relationship with my (our) Lord.
So, I (or if you’re reading with me, “we”) launch into this New Year to find God’s direction for my [our] life. As I journal here each day, I will imagine that someone significant in my life, LIKE YOU, is looking over my shoulder reading what I’m sharing. I will be praying that God will not only reveal His mind to me but that He will use what I write to edify and provide grace to all who might read after me.
Each day, what you read in this document, will reflect years of searching God’s word, which has been filtered through the insights of God’s truth and now with Chuck Swindoll’s help for this humble disciple to grow closer to my Lord. I pray that anyone who might read these entries will be edified as much as I know that I will be by God’s Spirit during my year with God in this upcoming year. … So, we begin with my January first entry [note posting in a separate entry]! … <’BB><
Administrative Note: All Scriptures quoted in my journal entries will be from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise referenced.
====================
This Month’s Topic: Joseph: A Man of Integrity & Forgiveness
January 1, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: God’s Training Manual
Passage of the Day: Genesis 37: 1 – 4 1 Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.
My Journal for Today: Joseph is one of the great characters from the Old Testament; and our devotional author, Charles Swindoll, who will be using great Bible characters to illustrate great truths from scripture, has chosen Joseph to begin this trip through the truth of God to help us grow closer to God and be shaped by His Spirit in His image.
Above from Genesis 37, we read of Joseph as a teen shepherd. However, as Swindoll points out in his entry for this date, Joseph’s life was introduced earlier in OT Scripture in Gen. 30 where we read of a storm of angst brewing in Joseph’s family (in Gen. 30: 24 – Gen. 37: 2). Then one can read of the middle young years of Joseph in Gen. 37: 2 – Gen. 41: 46; and finally the later years of this Bible giant, from 30 until Joseph’s death, in Gen. 41: 46 – Gen. 50: 26.
As Swindoll points out, the life of Joseph, as I think we’ll see in the next days, is a character study which will teach us a lot about ourselves as well as to warn us or to exhort us on to Godly character traits which can serve us well in life. I think of other characters in the Old and New Testaments who have been so inspiring and revealing for my life, people like Moses, Daniel, Gideon, Esther, Elijah, Habakkuk, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, James, and others, which just bubbled to my consciousness as I was writing here. Reading and getting to know these characters has really impacted my life. As Swindoll is illustrating here, the study of Bible characters, like Joseph, becomes a TRAINING MANUAL FOR LIFE AND LIVING.
As Swindoll puts it, “That is what these divinely inspired biographies do: they distill truth and weave it into the fabric of every day living.” Then Swindoll quotes Paul from Romans 15: 4, which states: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. And Swindoll reminds me that the revelation and description of these characters in the Bible, people like Joseph, would not be in Scripture, as we know it now, unless God the Holy Spirit wanted to use their life stories for our edification and our shaping into Christlikeness. Again, I point the truth of 2nd Tim. 3: 16 -17 to support this truth.
So, in looking at Romans 15: 4 (above), we see that God has given us all of Scripture, including the Old Testament, for study and life application, as Swindoll points in two directions: “… for present instruction, and second, for future hope.” So, I look forward to following Swindoll as we go deeper into the lives of the Bible characters, God has given Swindoll to become my (our) TRAINING MANUAL FOR LIFE.
My Prayer Today: Lord, use the characters of Your Word to illuminate Your character for me and use this character study as a manual for my life. Amen
An Introduction for my Devotional Journal: For five years I used one devotional book, Strength For Today, authored by John MacArthur in 1997. It has gotten a bit tattered and torn; but it served me well in these last few years to go deeper and deeper into my relationship with Christ; and I believe it did, in fact, help to build more strength into my Christian walk. I’ve used other good devotional books in the past, authored by Christian luminaries like Billy Graham, Oswald Chambers, Charles Spurgeon, A. W. Tozer, Joni Eareckson Tada, etc. However, this year I move on to a new book authored by Charles (Chuck) Swindoll, entitled Great Days with the Great Lives.
But some things don’t change. In my daily time with God each morning, it has become my discipline, beginning with morning prayer, to set my devotional table with one overriding prayer request. And in this regard I pray with expectation a prayer based on James 1: 5-6, where the brother of Jesus declares, “ 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." For any who might be reading along with me here, it is my desire, more than anything in my daily quiet time with God, to know Him more on that day than the day before; and over the years, He has shown me that when I come fervently seeking His mind and expecting that He will yield His wisdom to me, He fulfills the promise of those words above from James.
Secondly in prayer, each day I also go through a mental/spiritual ritual of “getting dressed” in God’s full armor, as spelled out in Ephesians 6: 13 - 18. Being the called leader of a world-wide outreach, Battle Plan Ministry, a ministry that is hated by Satan, it is essential that I go into each day fully dressed for spiritual warfare. Therefore, I fortify my battle readiness with this dressing discipline in prayer. I would exhort any devotional warrior to get ready for each day’s battle by putting on the full armor of God (ALL OF IT) and sharpening one’s Spirit Sword; because every day, the battle is on!
Finally, I let the Spirit of God guide me with prayers involving praise, thanks, and supplication which focus on my wife, family, ministry, church, and the many needs of those my life touches. And so, after my initial prayer time, I’m ready to enter into my daily time in God’s word, which has grown to give me an attitude of expectation each day, thinking, “Lord, bring it on! What are You going to bring to my heart and mind today that I can use for my spiritual battle, for growth, and to glorify You?” And He always – and I mean ALWAYS – shows up in my heart and mind to edify me through His word.
Now, as I said above, I will be using Chuck Swindoll’s devotional book to shepherd my daily quest to know God by letting His Spirit lead me through the Holy Scriptures which Swindoll has chosen to illustrate the biblical luminaries he has chosen for his devotional book, as well as those Scriptures God leads me toward in my daily study, the latter being many passages and verses I have memorized over the years. Therefore, my time every morning is always an exciting period of time for me; and I love to let God’s word convict me, shape me, direct me or even rebuke me [as it says in 2nd Tim. 3: 16 – 17 – one of those landmark memory verses which I hope you have memorized]. Sometimes these daily treks into God’s word can be painful; but they are always meaningful.
Now, as it has been my discipline in the past, I will be reading the daily devotional from my focus devotional, in this case Great Days with the Great Lives, meditating on what the author wrote for each day in the context of the biographical topics Swindoll has constructed in his book to help Christians grow in the reader’s (that’s me) relationship with Christ. Each day Swindoll uses a segment from God’s word, many times delving deeply into a passage of scripture to illustrate, in depth, many facets of some of the great characters of the Bible … like Joseph, who will be his focus character for January.
Usually in this daily study, as I’ve done in the past, one will not only find the verse or passage of the day instructive, but there may be a number of other passages of scripture which surface to edify a seeker like me (or maybe you) in building a stronger relationship with Christ. Delving into these scriptures and letting God’s Spirit guide my steps has always produced, with my devotional author’s help, a fresh look at the God, Whom I so desperately desire to know and serve. Each day, after reading from Swindoll’s devotional and mediating on God’s word, I will write my own interpretation [i.e., my journal entry], focusing in my journaling on what God was saying to me personally that very day. Each month, therefore, I will have a journal of God’s application from His word with Swindoll’s teaching and shepherding of the topic which he had chosen to use to help me (and other Christian readers) grow in my (our) relationship with my (our) Lord.
So, I (or if you’re reading with me, “we”) launch into this New Year to find God’s direction for my [our] life. As I journal here each day, I will imagine that someone significant in my life, LIKE YOU, is looking over my shoulder reading what I’m sharing. I will be praying that God will not only reveal His mind to me but that He will use what I write to edify and provide grace to all who might read after me.
Each day, what you read in this document, will reflect years of searching God’s word, which has been filtered through the insights of God’s truth and now with Chuck Swindoll’s help for this humble disciple to grow closer to my Lord. I pray that anyone who might read these entries will be edified as much as I know that I will be by God’s Spirit during my year with God in this upcoming year. … So, we begin with my January first entry [note posting in a separate entry]! … <’BB><
Administrative Note: All Scriptures quoted in my journal entries will be from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise referenced.
====================
This Month’s Topic: Joseph: A Man of Integrity & Forgiveness
January 1, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: God’s Training Manual
Passage of the Day: Genesis 37: 1 – 4 1 Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.
My Journal for Today: Joseph is one of the great characters from the Old Testament; and our devotional author, Charles Swindoll, who will be using great Bible characters to illustrate great truths from scripture, has chosen Joseph to begin this trip through the truth of God to help us grow closer to God and be shaped by His Spirit in His image.
Above from Genesis 37, we read of Joseph as a teen shepherd. However, as Swindoll points out in his entry for this date, Joseph’s life was introduced earlier in OT Scripture in Gen. 30 where we read of a storm of angst brewing in Joseph’s family (in Gen. 30: 24 – Gen. 37: 2). Then one can read of the middle young years of Joseph in Gen. 37: 2 – Gen. 41: 46; and finally the later years of this Bible giant, from 30 until Joseph’s death, in Gen. 41: 46 – Gen. 50: 26.
As Swindoll points out, the life of Joseph, as I think we’ll see in the next days, is a character study which will teach us a lot about ourselves as well as to warn us or to exhort us on to Godly character traits which can serve us well in life. I think of other characters in the Old and New Testaments who have been so inspiring and revealing for my life, people like Moses, Daniel, Gideon, Esther, Elijah, Habakkuk, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, James, and others, which just bubbled to my consciousness as I was writing here. Reading and getting to know these characters has really impacted my life. As Swindoll is illustrating here, the study of Bible characters, like Joseph, becomes a TRAINING MANUAL FOR LIFE AND LIVING.
As Swindoll puts it, “That is what these divinely inspired biographies do: they distill truth and weave it into the fabric of every day living.” Then Swindoll quotes Paul from Romans 15: 4, which states: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. And Swindoll reminds me that the revelation and description of these characters in the Bible, people like Joseph, would not be in Scripture, as we know it now, unless God the Holy Spirit wanted to use their life stories for our edification and our shaping into Christlikeness. Again, I point the truth of 2nd Tim. 3: 16 -17 to support this truth.
So, in looking at Romans 15: 4 (above), we see that God has given us all of Scripture, including the Old Testament, for study and life application, as Swindoll points in two directions: “… for present instruction, and second, for future hope.” So, I look forward to following Swindoll as we go deeper into the lives of the Bible characters, God has given Swindoll to become my (our) TRAINING MANUAL FOR LIFE.
My Prayer Today: Lord, use the characters of Your Word to illuminate Your character for me and use this character study as a manual for my life. Amen
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Getting Close to Christ - Dec., 08 - Day 31
December 31, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 18 - 19 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: This is the final devotional study focusing on Christology on the final day of this year. As John MacArthur has chosen to focus his teaching to believers about Christ by using Col. 1: 15 – 19 in these last days of the year; and we read MacArthur in his Strength For Today entry, charging his readers to “… be encouraged to meditate on the glory of Christ as revealed in this passage.” He goes on to write “… doing so will help you be transformed into Christ’s image and will prepare you to behold His glory in Heaven.”
And as we enter into a new year, meditating on the glory of Christ is a wonderful and most practical resolution for next year. For, as we read in Col. 1: 18 above, Christ is the Head of His Body; and we, the Church, make up that Body. Christ is our source and/or our beginning. He is the first and preeminent One from all who have been or ever will be raised from the dead for God’s glory.
Therefore, as we close out one year and enter into another, God’s Spirit leads me in this moment to return to a 19th century hymn, … one that I have quoted several times in my devotionals this past year, with the chorus reading …
-------------
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
-------------
As I’ve said, and hopefully practiced in my devotional life, … given the preeminence of Christ in the heart of any believer, … there can be no more powerful or practical meditation than can be found in the words of that hymn and the hope we have in Christ especially for the New Year.
Everyday this month, I’ve exhorted any who are reading these devotional entries to “stay tuned.” And the only way that I would do this for the New Year would be to say “STAY TUNED to Christ” in your life as you surrender to God’s Spirit and allow The Lord to rule and reign in your heart.
My Prayer Today: I look longingly, Lord, on You for all things in this upcoming new year. Amen
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 18 - 19 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: This is the final devotional study focusing on Christology on the final day of this year. As John MacArthur has chosen to focus his teaching to believers about Christ by using Col. 1: 15 – 19 in these last days of the year; and we read MacArthur in his Strength For Today entry, charging his readers to “… be encouraged to meditate on the glory of Christ as revealed in this passage.” He goes on to write “… doing so will help you be transformed into Christ’s image and will prepare you to behold His glory in Heaven.”
And as we enter into a new year, meditating on the glory of Christ is a wonderful and most practical resolution for next year. For, as we read in Col. 1: 18 above, Christ is the Head of His Body; and we, the Church, make up that Body. Christ is our source and/or our beginning. He is the first and preeminent One from all who have been or ever will be raised from the dead for God’s glory.
Therefore, as we close out one year and enter into another, God’s Spirit leads me in this moment to return to a 19th century hymn, … one that I have quoted several times in my devotionals this past year, with the chorus reading …
-------------
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
-------------
As I’ve said, and hopefully practiced in my devotional life, … given the preeminence of Christ in the heart of any believer, … there can be no more powerful or practical meditation than can be found in the words of that hymn and the hope we have in Christ especially for the New Year.
Everyday this month, I’ve exhorted any who are reading these devotional entries to “stay tuned.” And the only way that I would do this for the New Year would be to say “STAY TUNED to Christ” in your life as you surrender to God’s Spirit and allow The Lord to rule and reign in your heart.
My Prayer Today: I look longingly, Lord, on You for all things in this upcoming new year. Amen
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Getting Close to Christ - Dec., 08 - Day 30
December 30, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 17 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Today in his Strength for Today devotional entry, John MacArthur highlights and discusses something that is a bit overwhelming in scope for many Christians (well, at least yours truly!) … that Christ holds all that He has created together to fulfill His Covenant plan for all time (see Col. 1: 17). Thinking of the vast expanse of all Christ created in the universe (see John 1: 1 – 3), little ole me would seem to be a very small part of God’s grand cosmic scheme. And one day, as we read in 2nd Peter 3: 10 - 13, God is going to fold all His former creation by fire into nothingness, creating a New Jerusalem (i.e., new Heaven) for His church; and that includes little ole me. And though God is the Alpha and Omega and was/is the great I AM (see Micah 5: 2, Rev. 22: 13, and John 8: 58), He is MY Savior and Lord, making little ole me of infinitely great importance to Him and a very real part of why our Lord will bring down His new Heaven for His Bride (as was promised in John 14: 1 – 4).
Think about this in the grand scheme of the universe. God created little ole ME (and you) for HIS glorious purpose; and so, this makes it a very BIG deal for me to live my life in accord with His purpose (i.e., His will). Meditate on this further! Just as Christ, the Alpha and Omega, will sustain the whole universe He created; so, in His purpose and timing, He will sustain me (and you) as well as part of His very special plan for His Bride.
Really, bringing this into focus makes one realize just how important it is for us to live in pursuit of and vigilance for God’s plan for our lives. That’s what Peter discussed as he referred to Paul’s teachings on this matter (in 2nd Peter 3: 14 – 18); and most certainly it’s all about what Paul was preaching/teaching in a number of his New Testament letters … that our lives are to be lived in obedience to God’s will so that God’s plan for our lives can be fulfilled in our relationship with Christ.
As we enter this upcoming new year, are we, as Christians, aspiring to and living out God’s will for our lives? If not, there is no better place and time for us to make the commitment to do so than right NOW! I pray that I do that; and I pray that you do so as well. But we have one final day this year to concentrate on Christ and what He has done for us as believers; and I would predict that you’ve already said it for me – “… stay tuned!”
My Prayer Today: Hold me, Lord; and sustain me for Your design in Your time. Amen
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 17 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Today in his Strength for Today devotional entry, John MacArthur highlights and discusses something that is a bit overwhelming in scope for many Christians (well, at least yours truly!) … that Christ holds all that He has created together to fulfill His Covenant plan for all time (see Col. 1: 17). Thinking of the vast expanse of all Christ created in the universe (see John 1: 1 – 3), little ole me would seem to be a very small part of God’s grand cosmic scheme. And one day, as we read in 2nd Peter 3: 10 - 13, God is going to fold all His former creation by fire into nothingness, creating a New Jerusalem (i.e., new Heaven) for His church; and that includes little ole me. And though God is the Alpha and Omega and was/is the great I AM (see Micah 5: 2, Rev. 22: 13, and John 8: 58), He is MY Savior and Lord, making little ole me of infinitely great importance to Him and a very real part of why our Lord will bring down His new Heaven for His Bride (as was promised in John 14: 1 – 4).
Think about this in the grand scheme of the universe. God created little ole ME (and you) for HIS glorious purpose; and so, this makes it a very BIG deal for me to live my life in accord with His purpose (i.e., His will). Meditate on this further! Just as Christ, the Alpha and Omega, will sustain the whole universe He created; so, in His purpose and timing, He will sustain me (and you) as well as part of His very special plan for His Bride.
Really, bringing this into focus makes one realize just how important it is for us to live in pursuit of and vigilance for God’s plan for our lives. That’s what Peter discussed as he referred to Paul’s teachings on this matter (in 2nd Peter 3: 14 – 18); and most certainly it’s all about what Paul was preaching/teaching in a number of his New Testament letters … that our lives are to be lived in obedience to God’s will so that God’s plan for our lives can be fulfilled in our relationship with Christ.
As we enter this upcoming new year, are we, as Christians, aspiring to and living out God’s will for our lives? If not, there is no better place and time for us to make the commitment to do so than right NOW! I pray that I do that; and I pray that you do so as well. But we have one final day this year to concentrate on Christ and what He has done for us as believers; and I would predict that you’ve already said it for me – “… stay tuned!”
My Prayer Today: Hold me, Lord; and sustain me for Your design in Your time. Amen
Monday, December 29, 2008
Getting Close to Christ - Dec., 08 - Day 29
December 29, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 16 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: I think we’ve all, on a clear night, have looked into the night sky, being awe struck by all the stars we see. And then to think that there are billions of galaxies, each of which have millions or billions of stars. Wow!
And the Apostle Paul, through the message of today’s passage to believers at Colosse, wanted to make it clear to Christians who had been exposed to heretical teachings about Jesus that it was Christ who had created all we see in the heavens. However, MacArthur writes something we all need to keep in mind, “Even more amazing is, not that man [sees the stars] or has gone into space, but that God came to earth. In Christ, the invisible God who created everything and everyone became visible to man. How sad that while man looks into space, he refuses to look at the One Who came to earth.” … To any Christian who reads this, do I sense an “AMEN?”
Certainly the lost refuse to worship the God-Man, the One Who became our Savior. But I’m afraid that even Christians all too often do not worship God with the awe Christ, our Creator, deserves. For those who reject Christ’s deity such ignorance of worship is understandable; but we who call Him “Lord” should come to our Savior, before His throne of grace, absolutely and utterly in awe. Think of it! We are able, because of God’s grace, to come to the very Creator of the universe with our any/all of our needs and to petition the exalted Lord Himself.
And yes, in these waning December days there will be a little more opportunity to learn more about Him; so, as I’ve said each day this month, “Stay tuned!”
My Prayer Today: O, Lord, please forgive my pitiful worship. You are the Great I AM; and I bow before You this day. May I live for You as well. Amen
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 16 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: I think we’ve all, on a clear night, have looked into the night sky, being awe struck by all the stars we see. And then to think that there are billions of galaxies, each of which have millions or billions of stars. Wow!
And the Apostle Paul, through the message of today’s passage to believers at Colosse, wanted to make it clear to Christians who had been exposed to heretical teachings about Jesus that it was Christ who had created all we see in the heavens. However, MacArthur writes something we all need to keep in mind, “Even more amazing is, not that man [sees the stars] or has gone into space, but that God came to earth. In Christ, the invisible God who created everything and everyone became visible to man. How sad that while man looks into space, he refuses to look at the One Who came to earth.” … To any Christian who reads this, do I sense an “AMEN?”
Certainly the lost refuse to worship the God-Man, the One Who became our Savior. But I’m afraid that even Christians all too often do not worship God with the awe Christ, our Creator, deserves. For those who reject Christ’s deity such ignorance of worship is understandable; but we who call Him “Lord” should come to our Savior, before His throne of grace, absolutely and utterly in awe. Think of it! We are able, because of God’s grace, to come to the very Creator of the universe with our any/all of our needs and to petition the exalted Lord Himself.
And yes, in these waning December days there will be a little more opportunity to learn more about Him; so, as I’ve said each day this month, “Stay tuned!”
My Prayer Today: O, Lord, please forgive my pitiful worship. You are the Great I AM; and I bow before You this day. May I live for You as well. Amen
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Getting Close to Christ - Dec., 08 - Day 28
December 28, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15b [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Today’s verse, again from Colossians 1, tells us much about the preeminence of Christ as the God-Man. Paul was writing to the Church about heretics in his day who wanted to deny Christ’s deity, much like the Jehovah-Witness cult would today, using today’s verse as support for their beliefs, saying that the reference to “firstborn” would indicate that Jesus of Nazareth, being a firstborn human, could not therefore be the eternal God.
However, as MacArthur indicates in his Strength for Today entry for this date, such an interpretation and/or translation of Col. 1: 15b, ignores the Greek meaning for the term “firstborn,” which is “prototokos.” This term can, as Jehovah’s Witnesses contend, mean the firstborn in a family, whether human or animal. However, when it refers to royalty or positional authority, in this case referring to Christ’s position in and over creation, it takes on a broader, more encompassing connotation. In the latter case it refers to ranking by inheritance or position; and here Paul is referring to Christ’s ranking as THE ONE with the right of inheritance over all creation.
If any rational person were to study Col. 1: 15 – 17, he/she would see that the context clearly argues against any who would say that Christ couldn’t be God because of His human birth. Rather, we can declare from this text, with Paul, that Christ, though born a human, was, is, and always will be The One from Whom all creation emanates.
I don’t know about you, but this study in Christology this month has been most edifying, reminding me of Who Christ is and what He has done for all mankind in His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, glorification, and intercession. Just a few more days; but stay tuned for a bit more about our Lord; and learning anything more about The Christ is worth the effort.
My Prayer Today: You are THE ONE, Lord! Amen
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15b [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Today’s verse, again from Colossians 1, tells us much about the preeminence of Christ as the God-Man. Paul was writing to the Church about heretics in his day who wanted to deny Christ’s deity, much like the Jehovah-Witness cult would today, using today’s verse as support for their beliefs, saying that the reference to “firstborn” would indicate that Jesus of Nazareth, being a firstborn human, could not therefore be the eternal God.
However, as MacArthur indicates in his Strength for Today entry for this date, such an interpretation and/or translation of Col. 1: 15b, ignores the Greek meaning for the term “firstborn,” which is “prototokos.” This term can, as Jehovah’s Witnesses contend, mean the firstborn in a family, whether human or animal. However, when it refers to royalty or positional authority, in this case referring to Christ’s position in and over creation, it takes on a broader, more encompassing connotation. In the latter case it refers to ranking by inheritance or position; and here Paul is referring to Christ’s ranking as THE ONE with the right of inheritance over all creation.
If any rational person were to study Col. 1: 15 – 17, he/she would see that the context clearly argues against any who would say that Christ couldn’t be God because of His human birth. Rather, we can declare from this text, with Paul, that Christ, though born a human, was, is, and always will be The One from Whom all creation emanates.
I don’t know about you, but this study in Christology this month has been most edifying, reminding me of Who Christ is and what He has done for all mankind in His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, glorification, and intercession. Just a few more days; but stay tuned for a bit more about our Lord; and learning anything more about The Christ is worth the effort.
My Prayer Today: You are THE ONE, Lord! Amen
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Getting Close to Christ - Dec., 08 - Day 27
December 27, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Today’s highlight passage to the Colossians (and to all believers) from Paul states, “He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God.” Hebrews 1: 3 states, “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” And Jesus Himself declared (in John 14: 9), “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” This was true for all those men and women who were blessed to see the live Jesus as He walked the earth. However, as John MacArthur rightfully points out, Christ has been the “image of God” from all eternity, not just from the time of His incarnation, that event of all times which we have just celebrated at Christmas.
As the God-Man, however, Jesus presented all mankind with an exact human “eikon” (Greek for “likeness” from which we get our English word “icon”) in the flesh of the invisible God. He was the invisible God in visible humanity. And now we know that Christ’s claim that He was/is the “I AM” of the Old Testament (see John 8: 58) was true. Jesus of Nazareth was/is God in the flesh, which Paul forcefully and often proclaimed, as he did in today’s text (see also Col. 2: 9 and Titus 2: 13). And that is the image that we, as Christians should reflect as we aspire/attempt to walk in Christlikeness [see Eph. 4: 1-2 and Phil. 2: 5]. When Christ commanded us to shine His light through our good (i.e., Godly) works (as He did in Matt. 5: 16), we need to look no further than to the God-Man model of Jesus Christ to see what kind of light we should be shining into this sin-darkened world so that the lost as well as sinful Christians can see Christ in our lives, glorifying the Father in Heaven.
What about you? Will you join me this day, tomorrow, and into the New Year with the goal of shining the Light of Christ in what we think, say, and do? And to that end, stay tuned as we finish our December study of Christ so that we can be brighter lights in the New Year.
My Prayer Today: O, Lord, shine Your Light through me. Amen
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15 [see highlight verse in bold/red in the context of the entire passage] … 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Today’s highlight passage to the Colossians (and to all believers) from Paul states, “He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God.” Hebrews 1: 3 states, “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” And Jesus Himself declared (in John 14: 9), “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” This was true for all those men and women who were blessed to see the live Jesus as He walked the earth. However, as John MacArthur rightfully points out, Christ has been the “image of God” from all eternity, not just from the time of His incarnation, that event of all times which we have just celebrated at Christmas.
As the God-Man, however, Jesus presented all mankind with an exact human “eikon” (Greek for “likeness” from which we get our English word “icon”) in the flesh of the invisible God. He was the invisible God in visible humanity. And now we know that Christ’s claim that He was/is the “I AM” of the Old Testament (see John 8: 58) was true. Jesus of Nazareth was/is God in the flesh, which Paul forcefully and often proclaimed, as he did in today’s text (see also Col. 2: 9 and Titus 2: 13). And that is the image that we, as Christians should reflect as we aspire/attempt to walk in Christlikeness [see Eph. 4: 1-2 and Phil. 2: 5]. When Christ commanded us to shine His light through our good (i.e., Godly) works (as He did in Matt. 5: 16), we need to look no further than to the God-Man model of Jesus Christ to see what kind of light we should be shining into this sin-darkened world so that the lost as well as sinful Christians can see Christ in our lives, glorifying the Father in Heaven.
What about you? Will you join me this day, tomorrow, and into the New Year with the goal of shining the Light of Christ in what we think, say, and do? And to that end, stay tuned as we finish our December study of Christ so that we can be brighter lights in the New Year.
My Prayer Today: O, Lord, shine Your Light through me. Amen
Friday, December 26, 2008
Getting Close to Christ - Dec., 08 - Day 26
December 26, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15 – 19 … 15 He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Okay, we move from Paul’s strong declaration of Christ’s humanity and deity in Philippians 2 to another passage where the Apostle stood strong for the reality and truth of Jesus Christ being the God-Man.
Today, in our post-modern culture, Christians are often challenged by those who deny Christ’s deity, just as Paul was when Epaphrus, the evangelist/founder of the church at Colosse, apparently wrote to Paul about the same type of ill-informed heresy we see now in our post-modern world. Paul writes, from prison in Rome, to his Christian brothers/sisters in Colosse, his spirited defense of true Christian doctrine to help Epaphrus and other Colossian believers to understand that teachings or beliefs which de-emphasize the preeminence of Christ and emphasize human knowledge/understanding are nothing but heresy, concocted by man to elevate himself and to humanize God. As we read in today’s text, Paul stood strong for the truth of Christ’s deity and authority over all things. Actually, today’s passage is a powerful exposition of God’s truth concerning Christ’s deity and preeminent authority as LORD of all.
When we, as assertive believers, witnessing our faith, are confronted by those who choose to ignore the evidence of history and reject the deity of Christ (as I did for many years, calling myself “agnostic”), we, who know and believe the truth, must stand as was exhorted by Peter in 1st Peter 3: 15 – 16, when he wrote, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have [in Christ]. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” And today in our highlight passage in Colossians 1, we have a role model presentation of such a defense of the faith.
For years I did all I could to discount the witness of Christians who tried to stand for their faith when I challenged them with my doubts and questions. I would not listen to their testimonies of how Christ had brought them to a place of faith in His deity or from their stories of His transforming grace. But finally, in 1983, one such testimony of a young quadriplegic man who found His strength in Christ’s grace brought me to a place where I could reach out and find the truth of Christ’s Lordship. But it took many Christians, standing for their faith over many years to break through my veneer of egoism. So, you may encounter those, as I was, who will discount the truth of Jesus being God in the flesh. But stand in your faith! Stand like Paul did for the Colossians, telling the truth of Christ and how He has shaped and changed your life.
There’s great power in a personal testimony. In fact, one might argue about biblical interpretations, claiming (though falsely) that the Bible is irrelevant. But no one can argue with a strongly stated testimony. My testimony is mine! And no one can tell me that my belief in Christ has not changed my life. At 39, I was a hardened and cynical agnostic, deeply entrenched in habitual sin for most of my adult life. My marriage was almost broken; and my career was near the breaking point as well because of my spiritual weakness. And then came Christ; and my surrender to follow Him as my Lord changed everything. And here I am today, writing this as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel and an Elder in my church with a wonderful, renewed marriage and fulfilling life of ministry. Only Christ, and His Lordship in my life, could have shaped the person that is Bill Berry today. A mocker or disbeliever can misinterpret Scripture or foolishly deny the deity of Christ to my face; but, no one could tell me that my story isn’t true! And I hope that you will take any opportunity you might have into this upcoming New Year to declare to those who challenge Christ in your life so that you can let your story tell the truth about Christ’s deity and how He is transforming you.
And with that in mind, we will be exploring more of Paul’s exposition of Christ’s Lordship in his letter to the Colossians; so, yes, … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: I will stand for You always, Lord. Amen
Passage of the Day: Colossians 1: 15 – 19 … 15 He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, …
My Journal for Today: Okay, we move from Paul’s strong declaration of Christ’s humanity and deity in Philippians 2 to another passage where the Apostle stood strong for the reality and truth of Jesus Christ being the God-Man.
Today, in our post-modern culture, Christians are often challenged by those who deny Christ’s deity, just as Paul was when Epaphrus, the evangelist/founder of the church at Colosse, apparently wrote to Paul about the same type of ill-informed heresy we see now in our post-modern world. Paul writes, from prison in Rome, to his Christian brothers/sisters in Colosse, his spirited defense of true Christian doctrine to help Epaphrus and other Colossian believers to understand that teachings or beliefs which de-emphasize the preeminence of Christ and emphasize human knowledge/understanding are nothing but heresy, concocted by man to elevate himself and to humanize God. As we read in today’s text, Paul stood strong for the truth of Christ’s deity and authority over all things. Actually, today’s passage is a powerful exposition of God’s truth concerning Christ’s deity and preeminent authority as LORD of all.
When we, as assertive believers, witnessing our faith, are confronted by those who choose to ignore the evidence of history and reject the deity of Christ (as I did for many years, calling myself “agnostic”), we, who know and believe the truth, must stand as was exhorted by Peter in 1st Peter 3: 15 – 16, when he wrote, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have [in Christ]. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” And today in our highlight passage in Colossians 1, we have a role model presentation of such a defense of the faith.
For years I did all I could to discount the witness of Christians who tried to stand for their faith when I challenged them with my doubts and questions. I would not listen to their testimonies of how Christ had brought them to a place of faith in His deity or from their stories of His transforming grace. But finally, in 1983, one such testimony of a young quadriplegic man who found His strength in Christ’s grace brought me to a place where I could reach out and find the truth of Christ’s Lordship. But it took many Christians, standing for their faith over many years to break through my veneer of egoism. So, you may encounter those, as I was, who will discount the truth of Jesus being God in the flesh. But stand in your faith! Stand like Paul did for the Colossians, telling the truth of Christ and how He has shaped and changed your life.
There’s great power in a personal testimony. In fact, one might argue about biblical interpretations, claiming (though falsely) that the Bible is irrelevant. But no one can argue with a strongly stated testimony. My testimony is mine! And no one can tell me that my belief in Christ has not changed my life. At 39, I was a hardened and cynical agnostic, deeply entrenched in habitual sin for most of my adult life. My marriage was almost broken; and my career was near the breaking point as well because of my spiritual weakness. And then came Christ; and my surrender to follow Him as my Lord changed everything. And here I am today, writing this as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel and an Elder in my church with a wonderful, renewed marriage and fulfilling life of ministry. Only Christ, and His Lordship in my life, could have shaped the person that is Bill Berry today. A mocker or disbeliever can misinterpret Scripture or foolishly deny the deity of Christ to my face; but, no one could tell me that my story isn’t true! And I hope that you will take any opportunity you might have into this upcoming New Year to declare to those who challenge Christ in your life so that you can let your story tell the truth about Christ’s deity and how He is transforming you.
And with that in mind, we will be exploring more of Paul’s exposition of Christ’s Lordship in his letter to the Colossians; so, yes, … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: I will stand for You always, Lord. Amen
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Getting Close To Christ - Dec., '08 - Day 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY [ALMOST] NEW YEAR !!!
December 25, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9, 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Everything Jesus did, through His incarnation, which we celebrate on this date, and through His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation, was/is for the glory of God, The Father (see Phil. 2: 11). It is true that God, The Father, declares Himself to be the One and only God (see Exodus 20: 2 – 3 and Isaiah 45: 5a). However, as MacArthur relates in today’s Strength for Today entry, both Matt. 17: 5 and John 5: 23 declare, from the majesty of the Trinity, that all who honor God, The Son, give glory to God, The Father. They are One; and our lives are lived to glorify our Trinitarian God.
Therefore, as I meditate here on Christmas, I’m drawn, with conviction, to the realization that when I confess Christ as my Lord and I live in obedience to His word, doing all I can to reflect His Light into the world, I give honor and glory to The Father (see Matt. 5: 16) just as did His Son, Jesus. And when the fruit of God [see Gal. 5: 22 – 23], the Spirit, are manifest in my life, again God, The Father, is glorified (see John 15: 8).
So, in this time of reflection and celebration of Christ’s birth, we see that Christ’s exaltation by God, The Father, was to affirm that Christ would be glorified by His Church; and in so doing, God, The Father becomes greatly glorified. And likewise, when we worship Christ as our Lord with lives being directed by the Holy Spirit, we become the “living sacrifices” described by Paul in Rom. 12: 1; and in so doing we bring glory to our Father in Heaven. It is perfect circular redundancy; and the more it becomes our life of worship, we live to be God’s glory.
That is what all of this Christology has been about this month. I pray that it has touched you the way it has me; and tomorrow we switch to another passage from Paul in Colossians to round out these last few days in December; so, stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: On this special day to honor my Lord’s birth, may my life be lived to honor You, my Father in Heaven. Amen
December 25, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9, 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Everything Jesus did, through His incarnation, which we celebrate on this date, and through His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation, was/is for the glory of God, The Father (see Phil. 2: 11). It is true that God, The Father, declares Himself to be the One and only God (see Exodus 20: 2 – 3 and Isaiah 45: 5a). However, as MacArthur relates in today’s Strength for Today entry, both Matt. 17: 5 and John 5: 23 declare, from the majesty of the Trinity, that all who honor God, The Son, give glory to God, The Father. They are One; and our lives are lived to glorify our Trinitarian God.
Therefore, as I meditate here on Christmas, I’m drawn, with conviction, to the realization that when I confess Christ as my Lord and I live in obedience to His word, doing all I can to reflect His Light into the world, I give honor and glory to The Father (see Matt. 5: 16) just as did His Son, Jesus. And when the fruit of God [see Gal. 5: 22 – 23], the Spirit, are manifest in my life, again God, The Father, is glorified (see John 15: 8).
So, in this time of reflection and celebration of Christ’s birth, we see that Christ’s exaltation by God, The Father, was to affirm that Christ would be glorified by His Church; and in so doing, God, The Father becomes greatly glorified. And likewise, when we worship Christ as our Lord with lives being directed by the Holy Spirit, we become the “living sacrifices” described by Paul in Rom. 12: 1; and in so doing we bring glory to our Father in Heaven. It is perfect circular redundancy; and the more it becomes our life of worship, we live to be God’s glory.
That is what all of this Christology has been about this month. I pray that it has touched you the way it has me; and tomorrow we switch to another passage from Paul in Colossians to round out these last few days in December; so, stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: On this special day to honor my Lord’s birth, may my life be lived to honor You, my Father in Heaven. Amen
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Getting Close To Christ - Dec., '08 - Day 24
December 24, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 10 - 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Yes, … same passage as yesterday; and any time a Bible teacher, like John MacArthur or yours truly, surveys a passage repeatedly, it will be for emphasis; and this is the case here. Studying Christology this month, MacArthur wants his Strength for Today readers to see the wondrous future which lies ahead for the unfallen Angels, for all redeemed believers whose spirits await glorified bodies in Heaven, and for all the living, who, like myself, worship Christ as Savior AND LORD.
Think on it, … meditate on it, … and celebrate it in this Advent season! For all rational humans who “confess” (i.e., affirm and/or acknowledge) the exalted Christ as Lord and Savior will be able to worship our Lord in perfect and glorified closeness for all eternity (see that clearly stated in Romans 10: 9 – 13). However, for all rational beings who do not confess Jesus as Lord, there awaits the horror of bowing to worship The Christ as Lord in the eternal pit of separation, darkness, and the fires of hell.
Yes, ALL will bow the knee of worship to the risen and exalted Christ, … the King of kings and Lord of lords. And I pray that whomever reads this has completely surrendered to the Living Lord, declaring in faith that HE is your Savior AND Lord. And I pray, on this Christmas Eve, that your life joins mine in celebrating the birth of our risen Lord with our lives of sacrifice and service, which can be our only gift to Him for His gift to us, … the greatest gift of all.
No more really need be said about Christ; but there is more … so, yes, … stay tuned; we still have one more week in this current devotional study about Christ – and then a whole lifetime to get to know Him more closely!
My Prayer Today: May we all worship Your Holy and exalted Name, dear LORD. Amen
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 10 - 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Yes, … same passage as yesterday; and any time a Bible teacher, like John MacArthur or yours truly, surveys a passage repeatedly, it will be for emphasis; and this is the case here. Studying Christology this month, MacArthur wants his Strength for Today readers to see the wondrous future which lies ahead for the unfallen Angels, for all redeemed believers whose spirits await glorified bodies in Heaven, and for all the living, who, like myself, worship Christ as Savior AND LORD.
Think on it, … meditate on it, … and celebrate it in this Advent season! For all rational humans who “confess” (i.e., affirm and/or acknowledge) the exalted Christ as Lord and Savior will be able to worship our Lord in perfect and glorified closeness for all eternity (see that clearly stated in Romans 10: 9 – 13). However, for all rational beings who do not confess Jesus as Lord, there awaits the horror of bowing to worship The Christ as Lord in the eternal pit of separation, darkness, and the fires of hell.
Yes, ALL will bow the knee of worship to the risen and exalted Christ, … the King of kings and Lord of lords. And I pray that whomever reads this has completely surrendered to the Living Lord, declaring in faith that HE is your Savior AND Lord. And I pray, on this Christmas Eve, that your life joins mine in celebrating the birth of our risen Lord with our lives of sacrifice and service, which can be our only gift to Him for His gift to us, … the greatest gift of all.
No more really need be said about Christ; but there is more … so, yes, … stay tuned; we still have one more week in this current devotional study about Christ – and then a whole lifetime to get to know Him more closely!
My Prayer Today: May we all worship Your Holy and exalted Name, dear LORD. Amen
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Getting Close To Christ - Dec., '08 - Day 23
December 23, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 10 - 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Today’s passage, and John MacArthur’s teachings on the Phil. 2: 10 – 11 passage in today’s Strength for Today entry, point to the inevitable response that all created beings ultimately will have before the throne of the risen and exalted “Lord,” and that is to humbly bow in worship. The Apostle Paul’s declaration of this truth here as well in Romans 14: 11 where Paul quotes from Isaiah 45:23, writing “It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " Paul’s forceful statement and quote from Scripture exempts NO ONE!
The subjunctive mood, involving the phrase “every knee should bow” means that such worship WILL take place at some point in God’s future plan for mankind as prophesied first by God through Isaiah (again 45: 23) . Some will have done so voluntarily, as has yours truly. However, some – and many more unfortunately – will come before the glorified and exalted Christ, bowing in stark terror to recognize His Lordship, realizing that God’s wrath awaits their rejection or willful apathy of Christ during their lives. And sadly these latter souls may have known Jesus as a historical figure or as a man if they were privileged to have seen Him walk on this earth. Some may have even recognized Him as the Savior of all mankind. However, unless they have acknowledged Christ as their “Lord” during their lifetime, their bowing in worship at His second coming will have been too late to receive the grace of His salvation.
That’s why Paul exhorts in Phil. 2: 5 – 11 for all believers to take on the humility of Christlikeness by choice while living, worshipping Christ as “Lord” in life so that the believer can receive His saving grace, serve the Lord in life, and worship The LORD forever in Heaven. Prayerfully, reading this, you know that you know that you know that you’ve humbly received Christ as Savior AND Lord. As I wrote yesterday … if you haven’t done so, DO IT NOW, so that when that time comes in glory you will be counted among those who humbly received the salvation offered by our Lord.
Yes, you guessed it by now – there’s even more Christology to come. Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: Lord, I will humbly declare it again and often – You are my Lord! Amen
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 10 - 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Today’s passage, and John MacArthur’s teachings on the Phil. 2: 10 – 11 passage in today’s Strength for Today entry, point to the inevitable response that all created beings ultimately will have before the throne of the risen and exalted “Lord,” and that is to humbly bow in worship. The Apostle Paul’s declaration of this truth here as well in Romans 14: 11 where Paul quotes from Isaiah 45:23, writing “It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " Paul’s forceful statement and quote from Scripture exempts NO ONE!
The subjunctive mood, involving the phrase “every knee should bow” means that such worship WILL take place at some point in God’s future plan for mankind as prophesied first by God through Isaiah (again 45: 23) . Some will have done so voluntarily, as has yours truly. However, some – and many more unfortunately – will come before the glorified and exalted Christ, bowing in stark terror to recognize His Lordship, realizing that God’s wrath awaits their rejection or willful apathy of Christ during their lives. And sadly these latter souls may have known Jesus as a historical figure or as a man if they were privileged to have seen Him walk on this earth. Some may have even recognized Him as the Savior of all mankind. However, unless they have acknowledged Christ as their “Lord” during their lifetime, their bowing in worship at His second coming will have been too late to receive the grace of His salvation.
That’s why Paul exhorts in Phil. 2: 5 – 11 for all believers to take on the humility of Christlikeness by choice while living, worshipping Christ as “Lord” in life so that the believer can receive His saving grace, serve the Lord in life, and worship The LORD forever in Heaven. Prayerfully, reading this, you know that you know that you know that you’ve humbly received Christ as Savior AND Lord. As I wrote yesterday … if you haven’t done so, DO IT NOW, so that when that time comes in glory you will be counted among those who humbly received the salvation offered by our Lord.
Yes, you guessed it by now – there’s even more Christology to come. Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: Lord, I will humbly declare it again and often – You are my Lord! Amen
Monday, December 22, 2008
Getting Close To Christ - Dec., '08 - Day 22
December 22, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9, 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Yesterday, we briefly looked at the untenable position (at least in my estimation) of one who believes that Christ is his Savior but has not truly received Him as Lord. Today, John MacArthur in his devotional entry stresses the inability for one to call himself “Christian” and hold this position. He writes this, “Jesus is Lord; and if you refuse Him as Lord, you cannot call Him Savior.” These are challenging words and perhaps even convicting for some, especially for those who believe they have the “fire insurance” of salvation, knowing that they are sinners and believing Jesus died for them as their Savior.
But when one reads, in today’s passage (Phil. 2: 9, 11), that God, The Father, has established Christ as “LORD;” and then, if you go on to read Romans 10: 9, one must see that to be truly saved one must believe and confess, with a heart felt commitment, that “Jesus is LORD.” As I wrote yesterday, it’s a “package deal,” and one cannot have all that salvation affords without making Christ his Lord as well as his Savior.
Okay, I’m being repetitive again! But this is worthy of repetition. I’m afraid there are many who sit in church pews every Sunday, who would call themselves “Christian” if they were surveyed as to their “beliefs.” And if you ask them, “Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life,” they may even answer affirmatively. However, their lives cannot attest to the reality of Christ being their Lord because the fruit of the Spirit is not on their tree of life (see Gal. 5: 22 – 23). Rather, one finds the fruit of the flesh, growing so evidently (see Gal. 5: 19 – 21) with only token and occasional verbal repentance – but no real life transformation to give witness to the reality of Christ’s Lordship in their life.
These are those who will tragically say at Heaven’s gate, “Lord Jesus, I have always called you, “my Lord,” … to which He would say, “I never really knew you.” And these nominal “christians” thought they had the fire insurance of Heaven and they will spend eternity in hell because they had not received and acknowledged the Lordship of Christ in their lives.
To any who read this: This is serious business [!]; and though this is a time of joyful celebration of Christ’s birth, it is a most serious time of year if one has not truly given over his or her life to Christ’s Lordship. I truly pray, as I write this, that anyone reading this and needing to surrender to Christ as Lord as well as Savior will DO IT NOW! Move into the New Year with a newly established commitment and covenant with Jesus as your Savior AND your Lord. Find someone whom you respect as a Christian and confess to them, as well as to God, that you need to be in TOTAL surrender to Christ as Lord AND Savior. Ask that person to help you be accountable to Christ’s Lordship; and develop an action plan (a “battle plan,” if you will) to this new level of covenant surrender. If you do this, I could imagine Christ one day, in Heaven, saying to you, “Well, done, my friend. As your Lord, I have smiled on your service.”
And so, let us move on to grow even closer to our LORD. Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: I will say it again. Dear Jesus, You are my LORD! Amen
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9, 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Yesterday, we briefly looked at the untenable position (at least in my estimation) of one who believes that Christ is his Savior but has not truly received Him as Lord. Today, John MacArthur in his devotional entry stresses the inability for one to call himself “Christian” and hold this position. He writes this, “Jesus is Lord; and if you refuse Him as Lord, you cannot call Him Savior.” These are challenging words and perhaps even convicting for some, especially for those who believe they have the “fire insurance” of salvation, knowing that they are sinners and believing Jesus died for them as their Savior.
But when one reads, in today’s passage (Phil. 2: 9, 11), that God, The Father, has established Christ as “LORD;” and then, if you go on to read Romans 10: 9, one must see that to be truly saved one must believe and confess, with a heart felt commitment, that “Jesus is LORD.” As I wrote yesterday, it’s a “package deal,” and one cannot have all that salvation affords without making Christ his Lord as well as his Savior.
Okay, I’m being repetitive again! But this is worthy of repetition. I’m afraid there are many who sit in church pews every Sunday, who would call themselves “Christian” if they were surveyed as to their “beliefs.” And if you ask them, “Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life,” they may even answer affirmatively. However, their lives cannot attest to the reality of Christ being their Lord because the fruit of the Spirit is not on their tree of life (see Gal. 5: 22 – 23). Rather, one finds the fruit of the flesh, growing so evidently (see Gal. 5: 19 – 21) with only token and occasional verbal repentance – but no real life transformation to give witness to the reality of Christ’s Lordship in their life.
These are those who will tragically say at Heaven’s gate, “Lord Jesus, I have always called you, “my Lord,” … to which He would say, “I never really knew you.” And these nominal “christians” thought they had the fire insurance of Heaven and they will spend eternity in hell because they had not received and acknowledged the Lordship of Christ in their lives.
To any who read this: This is serious business [!]; and though this is a time of joyful celebration of Christ’s birth, it is a most serious time of year if one has not truly given over his or her life to Christ’s Lordship. I truly pray, as I write this, that anyone reading this and needing to surrender to Christ as Lord as well as Savior will DO IT NOW! Move into the New Year with a newly established commitment and covenant with Jesus as your Savior AND your Lord. Find someone whom you respect as a Christian and confess to them, as well as to God, that you need to be in TOTAL surrender to Christ as Lord AND Savior. Ask that person to help you be accountable to Christ’s Lordship; and develop an action plan (a “battle plan,” if you will) to this new level of covenant surrender. If you do this, I could imagine Christ one day, in Heaven, saying to you, “Well, done, my friend. As your Lord, I have smiled on your service.”
And so, let us move on to grow even closer to our LORD. Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: I will say it again. Dear Jesus, You are my LORD! Amen
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Getting Close To Christ - Dec., '08 - Day 21
December 21, 2008 …
Special Introduction: If you get this PLEASE READ, especially you who receive this via auto-email, AND MEDITATE ON THIS ENTRY!!! ... Somehow I feel the tug of God's Spirit that what I journal on certain days holds more importance or power than on others. TODAY is one of those days. Hence my exhortation to pay particular attention to this one. And may God bless your meditation and the decisions that follow from it. ... <'BB><
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9, 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Today’s repeated passage again declares – for emphasis – that Jesus Christ is “LORD.” According to John MacArthur in Strength for Today, this truth is affirmed over 700 times in the New Testament, where Jesus is called “Lord;” and no more clearly than in Acts 2: 36, where Peter in his great evangelical sermon declared, “…let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord AND Christ.“ [All caps to emphasize the “AND”]
It is an enigma to MacArthur, and to yours truly, that some “Christians” can believe and teach that one can be saved by receiving and believing in Jesus, The Christ, before they receive Christ as their Lord. And I totally agree with MacArthur in today’s devotional entry when he asserts that such an assumption is “… completely unbiblical … in effect … saying Christ isn’t Lord until we give Him permission to be so in our lives.” Looking at Acts 2: 21 and 16: 31 clearly shows, as MacArthur proclaims, “… to be saved you must confess Jesus as LORD."
Salvation is a package deal, … acceptance of Jesus as CHRIST and LORD. We cannot separate out Christ, the Savior, from Christ, the Lord; because without Christ’s authority as Lord of all, Jesus could never be the saving Christ. So, as Christians, we must realize that to be saved – i.e., truly born again as believers – Christ must be our Lord to be our Savior; and as saved Christians, Christ’s authority and Lordship will rule over our lives forever! We can only be “living sacrifices” and live transformed lives, as Paul wrote about in Romans 12: 1 – 2, if Christ is truly the LORD of our life.
Therefore, as we move through the Advent season, we need to ask ourselves, “Have I truly repented of my sin condition and confessed Christ as The Lord of my life in believing Him to be my Savior?” If not, NOW is the time do so – and be saved by the authority of Christ as LORD and SAVIOR. And making Jesus “the Lord” means total submission to His Lordship with all that such surrender entails. Perhaps this year is the year that you will truly bow before God’s throne of grace and make Christ the LORD of ALL THINGS in your life.
And to that end, we will see more of our LORD this month. Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: O, dear Jesus, You are Lord of all!! Amen
Special Introduction: If you get this PLEASE READ, especially you who receive this via auto-email, AND MEDITATE ON THIS ENTRY!!! ... Somehow I feel the tug of God's Spirit that what I journal on certain days holds more importance or power than on others. TODAY is one of those days. Hence my exhortation to pay particular attention to this one. And may God bless your meditation and the decisions that follow from it. ... <'BB><
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9, 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: Today’s repeated passage again declares – for emphasis – that Jesus Christ is “LORD.” According to John MacArthur in Strength for Today, this truth is affirmed over 700 times in the New Testament, where Jesus is called “Lord;” and no more clearly than in Acts 2: 36, where Peter in his great evangelical sermon declared, “…let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord AND Christ.“ [All caps to emphasize the “AND”]
It is an enigma to MacArthur, and to yours truly, that some “Christians” can believe and teach that one can be saved by receiving and believing in Jesus, The Christ, before they receive Christ as their Lord. And I totally agree with MacArthur in today’s devotional entry when he asserts that such an assumption is “… completely unbiblical … in effect … saying Christ isn’t Lord until we give Him permission to be so in our lives.” Looking at Acts 2: 21 and 16: 31 clearly shows, as MacArthur proclaims, “… to be saved you must confess Jesus as LORD."
Salvation is a package deal, … acceptance of Jesus as CHRIST and LORD. We cannot separate out Christ, the Savior, from Christ, the Lord; because without Christ’s authority as Lord of all, Jesus could never be the saving Christ. So, as Christians, we must realize that to be saved – i.e., truly born again as believers – Christ must be our Lord to be our Savior; and as saved Christians, Christ’s authority and Lordship will rule over our lives forever! We can only be “living sacrifices” and live transformed lives, as Paul wrote about in Romans 12: 1 – 2, if Christ is truly the LORD of our life.
Therefore, as we move through the Advent season, we need to ask ourselves, “Have I truly repented of my sin condition and confessed Christ as The Lord of my life in believing Him to be my Savior?” If not, NOW is the time do so – and be saved by the authority of Christ as LORD and SAVIOR. And making Jesus “the Lord” means total submission to His Lordship with all that such surrender entails. Perhaps this year is the year that you will truly bow before God’s throne of grace and make Christ the LORD of ALL THINGS in your life.
And to that end, we will see more of our LORD this month. Stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: O, dear Jesus, You are Lord of all!! Amen
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Getting Close To Christ - Dec., '08 - Day 20
December 20, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9 – 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red and my emphasis IN ALL CAPS] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: For emphasis and due importance, John MacArthur, in today’s Strength for Today entry returns to highlight the phrase “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD,” emphasized in all caps here and above from Phil. 2: 11. Yesterday we explored the renaming process which Jesus, the re-ascended God-Man, has assumed from God, the Father, being re-coronated as “Lord” and sitting at the Right Hand of His Father in Heaven. And from there Christ, as LORD of all, could intercede as High Priest for all whom had come to Him in faith, declaring Him to be Lord and Savior by their repentance and living worship.
As we noted yesterday, the reference to the Name for Jesus as “LORD” is the Greek term “KURIOS,” which can be a general term for a supreme ruler with all authority. However, in this context, it would refer to God, The Messiah, Whom Jews had used the Hebrew equivalent of “J@hovah,” the proper Name for the One true God. An Old Testament example would be in Isaiah 45: 21, where we read, “Was it not I, the LORD [Y@hovah]? And there is no God [Elohiym] apart from Me, a righteous God [El] and a Savior [Yasha]; there is none but Me.” Here you see [in parentheses] the various references to the supreme God; but when He refers to Himself, by Name, the Name God uses is “J@hovah,” of which the Greek equivalent was/is “Kurios” and the English is “Jehovah.” I write “Y@hovah” here in the way I do because the Jews of that day would not even write or try to pronounce that name because it was considered so unspeakably holy. Their verbal equivalent was “Yahweh,” which we see referenced in translations occasionally. In other words, names were of vast importance to those who read from the Scriptures in the Old Testament of that day.
And so, here we have the God imposed Name above all names given to the exalted One, Jesus, Who is now our “LORD,” the High Priest in Heaven, the Name to which He should be referred and given all reverence due Him. He is the Savior, J@hovah, to Whom all knees will bow and tongues confess as “LORD.” Yes, He is J@hovah, … Kurio; … he is my LORD!
Really, this matter is emphasized by MacArthur (and by myself here) to allow us all to understand and declare the reverence Christ deserves to command in our thought process, our prayers, and our witness. But as I’ve indicated in days past, I’m afraid that all too often I hear others, even so-called “Christians,” trying to humanize THE LORD, giving Him name references, like “The Big Guy” or “Papa God.” I know that the latter comes from a Scriptural reference to “Abba Father,” as we read Jesus referring to His Father in Heaven in Mark 14: 36 or Paul’s similar reference in Romans 8: 15. However, I - personally - am uncomfortable using such a personalized reference as “Papa God.” When I hear that kind of Name for God, I recoil a bit; … but only because I don’t want us, as humans, -no, more personally, I don't want me - to try to bring God down to our level. Others may feel right with such a reference to God, our Lord; but I am not.
God is not to be humanized. He is God; and we are not! He is LORD; and we are not!! He is our King of kings; and He is our Lord of lords; and we must give Him the Named authority in our lives to which He deserves. He is J@hovah … Kurios … LORD! Only then can I, thinking in this way, come to His throne of grace with the humility in my heart which He deserves as I pray before that Throne and our High Priest in Heaven. And I hope you are reading into my words the fear of God and the reverence to which I hold my “Lord” God. May I never try to Name Him in such a way as to trivialize Who He is in MY heart. Others can call our Lord whatever they are at peace to do so; but when I pray, “In the Name of Jesus,” may I always be thinking and feeling in my heart of hearts that He is my “Lord.”
Yes, we’re being redundant here; but our LORD is deserving of this repetition and emphasis; and there will be more; … so, yes, … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: Again, all that needs to be said with regard to Your Name, Lord, is HALLELUJAH! Amen
Passage of the Day: Philippians 2: 9 – 11 [see highlight passage in bold/red and my emphasis IN ALL CAPS] … 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.
My Journal for Today: For emphasis and due importance, John MacArthur, in today’s Strength for Today entry returns to highlight the phrase “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD,” emphasized in all caps here and above from Phil. 2: 11. Yesterday we explored the renaming process which Jesus, the re-ascended God-Man, has assumed from God, the Father, being re-coronated as “Lord” and sitting at the Right Hand of His Father in Heaven. And from there Christ, as LORD of all, could intercede as High Priest for all whom had come to Him in faith, declaring Him to be Lord and Savior by their repentance and living worship.
As we noted yesterday, the reference to the Name for Jesus as “LORD” is the Greek term “KURIOS,” which can be a general term for a supreme ruler with all authority. However, in this context, it would refer to God, The Messiah, Whom Jews had used the Hebrew equivalent of “J@hovah,” the proper Name for the One true God. An Old Testament example would be in Isaiah 45: 21, where we read, “Was it not I, the LORD [Y@hovah]? And there is no God [Elohiym] apart from Me, a righteous God [El] and a Savior [Yasha]; there is none but Me.” Here you see [in parentheses] the various references to the supreme God; but when He refers to Himself, by Name, the Name God uses is “J@hovah,” of which the Greek equivalent was/is “Kurios” and the English is “Jehovah.” I write “Y@hovah” here in the way I do because the Jews of that day would not even write or try to pronounce that name because it was considered so unspeakably holy. Their verbal equivalent was “Yahweh,” which we see referenced in translations occasionally. In other words, names were of vast importance to those who read from the Scriptures in the Old Testament of that day.
And so, here we have the God imposed Name above all names given to the exalted One, Jesus, Who is now our “LORD,” the High Priest in Heaven, the Name to which He should be referred and given all reverence due Him. He is the Savior, J@hovah, to Whom all knees will bow and tongues confess as “LORD.” Yes, He is J@hovah, … Kurio; … he is my LORD!
Really, this matter is emphasized by MacArthur (and by myself here) to allow us all to understand and declare the reverence Christ deserves to command in our thought process, our prayers, and our witness. But as I’ve indicated in days past, I’m afraid that all too often I hear others, even so-called “Christians,” trying to humanize THE LORD, giving Him name references, like “The Big Guy” or “Papa God.” I know that the latter comes from a Scriptural reference to “Abba Father,” as we read Jesus referring to His Father in Heaven in Mark 14: 36 or Paul’s similar reference in Romans 8: 15. However, I - personally - am uncomfortable using such a personalized reference as “Papa God.” When I hear that kind of Name for God, I recoil a bit; … but only because I don’t want us, as humans, -no, more personally, I don't want me - to try to bring God down to our level. Others may feel right with such a reference to God, our Lord; but I am not.
God is not to be humanized. He is God; and we are not! He is LORD; and we are not!! He is our King of kings; and He is our Lord of lords; and we must give Him the Named authority in our lives to which He deserves. He is J@hovah … Kurios … LORD! Only then can I, thinking in this way, come to His throne of grace with the humility in my heart which He deserves as I pray before that Throne and our High Priest in Heaven. And I hope you are reading into my words the fear of God and the reverence to which I hold my “Lord” God. May I never try to Name Him in such a way as to trivialize Who He is in MY heart. Others can call our Lord whatever they are at peace to do so; but when I pray, “In the Name of Jesus,” may I always be thinking and feeling in my heart of hearts that He is my “Lord.”
Yes, we’re being redundant here; but our LORD is deserving of this repetition and emphasis; and there will be more; … so, yes, … stay tuned!
My Prayer Today: Again, all that needs to be said with regard to Your Name, Lord, is HALLELUJAH! Amen
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