God’s Truth

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#810 Psalm 23 – Dwelling in God’s Presence

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

David was struck with the magnificence of his Good Shepherd, his knowing that God’s goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of this earthly life.  He also realized that he would be dwelling in God’s presence forever; the Hebrew also being translated “length of days,” basically inferring David was going to be dwelling with God while here on earth.  As we Christians reflect on the “house of the Lord,” we come to the realization that the house is the dwelling place of all of those who have accepted Christ as Savior thus being a member of the family of God.  We have the privilege of dwelling in the presence of the Lord and in fellowship with fellow believers, sharing the Godly love that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.  His presence is always with us, and we should live a life that would reflect that presence to all those around us.

Do you recognize God’s presence as you dwell daily in His house?

“And He said, ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’”   (Exodus 33:14)

 May God Richly Bless You Today

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#712 Put On Your NEW Self

Guest devotion by Travis Patterson, orchestra teacher and Bible study leader at First Baptist Church El Paso, Texas.

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Jesus taught: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”[1] What does it mean to lose our life for Christ sake? Some say it means working very hard doing things for people.  They take that to mean simply that Christ has called us all to do humanitarian or social work. But when we read Paul’s epistles the meaning of losing our life has more to do with dying to our flesh and the meaning of saving our life has more to do with walking in the Spirit.[2]  While God does call us to serve and care for each other it is important to understand our motives.  Since Paul emphasizes being In Christ and the New Self so much, we should be diligent to study and pray to understand.  May God “give [us that] spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”[3]

Have you put off the old self and put on the new self, living in the Spirit?   

“Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”  (Colossians 3:9-10 – NASB) 

[1] Luke 9:24 – NASB

[2] Romans 8:9-11

[3] Ephesians 1:17b – NASB

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#526 Serving the Lord (I Peter 4:11) – Speaking God’s Word

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we seek to use a spiritual gift that requires teaching or speaking, whether publicly or in a small worship setting, Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states that we are to speak as one speaking the oracles of God.  When we consider the word “oracles”, we are basically speaking of divine communication or revelation of God, the truth that has been revealed by God in Scripture.  In essence, we have the responsibility of teaching and speaking for Him a message from His Word; the words spoken not being our own or our personal opinion, but the very words of God.  Considering we are speaking holy “oracles” and the seriousness of such a responsibility, we should speak in a manner of reverence, awe, and worship, showing the recipients of God’s Word the importance of receiving and applying God’s Words to their hearts.

When speaking and teaching God’s Word, remember that you are His spokes-person, delivering His Words from His Holy Scriptures!

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God:  but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”  (II Corinthians 2:17)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#525 Serving the Lord (I Peter 4:11) – Those Who Speak for the Lord

 Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 Peter, as Paul did, emphasized the need for Christians to use their diversity of gifts for the edification of the entire church.  When he addresses those who speak, many believe Peter is addressing only preachers and teachers who have that gift; however, there are others who have a gift that may necessitate speaking in a worship setting, and they would also be responsible for following the guidelines Peter is putting forth just as preachers and teachers would be.  God’s Word is God’s Truth, and when spoken it should be delivered only after diligent study and prayer.  All who speak, whether in the public pulpit or in a private small group setting, are not only responsible to the recipients but also accountable to God for everything they say in their usage of the gifts given them by God.  As we have opportunities to speak for our Lord, we need to be prepared and prayerfully deliver what the Lord would lead us to say. 

If you are one to whom God has blessed with a gift that necessitates speaking to others in a worship context about the Lord, take your gift seriously and prayerfully study as to what God would have you say!

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;” (Romans 12:6)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#500 Judgment and Promises (Isaiah 65) – Hope and Promise for the Future

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Having received reasons for God’s displeasure at their evil deeds, the Israelites are given by God a description of the difference between those who were faithful in keeping His commandments and those who did rebel and defy Him.[1]  The former would have His favor and abundance while the latter would draw His displeasure and suffer in poverty, grief, and want.  God made it plain that judgment would follow those who chose against Him while hope and promise for the future would follow those who were faithful to Him.  The preciousness of this promise to the faithful Israelites is that their failures, judgments, and disasters would be put in the past; they would again worship the true God, receive the favor of Him, and recognize the prosperity from doing so.  We as Christians have a precious promise also:  as we accept Christ and repent from our sins, God is faithful to forgive, blotting the sins from our record, giving us a right relationship with Him.

Think today of how blessed it is to know that as a Christian your sins have been forgiven, put behind us, and forgotten by God!

“That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.”  (Isaiah 65:16)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Isaiah 65:13-15

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#486 The Armor of God – Satan’s Lies and God’s Truth

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There is no doubt that Satan exists and is very active in the world today.  This is evident in the results of his attacks against God’s people.  He is cunning and clever, John likening him to a thief who comes “to steal, kill, and destroy.”  He does so by sometimes attacking directly and sometimes attacking indirectly or subtle.  Being the consummate liar, his plan is to use deception to bring about doubt, discouragement, and fear to the extent that we as Christians will turn away from God.  One of the results is negative emotions such as anger, complaining, fear, greed, etc. that serve to bring down the Christian  God’s plan is the opposite, positive emotions such as patience, contentment, confidence, generosity, etc. that lift Christians up in a way that encourages instead of discourages, strengthens instead of weakens.  Listening to the Holy Spirit instead of Satan will bring about the realization that we should look for the truth and light of God rather than the lies and darkness of Satan. 

If you have a problem being overwhelmed with negative emotions, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to God’s truth and positive emotions!

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#474 The Armor of God – Twists, Misquotes, and Distortions

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

From the Garden of Eden to the wilderness temptation of Jesus Christ and other Bible passages we read of Satan quoting Scripture.  The only problem was he would misquote or twist the meaning of the Scripture passage to meet his needs and to trick those he was tempting and leading astray.  This is what happened successfully in the Garden of Eden with Eve and unsuccessfully in the wilderness when tempting Jesus.  Jesus did not defend the Word; He simply quoted it and used it against Satan.  What Satan did with Scripture is still prevalent today as cults and false religions misquote, twist the meaning of, or even distort Scripture passages to fit their needs and trick those who do not adequately know God’s Word.  Even some of our “evangelical” pastors will twist the meaning of Scripture in order to please and reach greater numbers for their churches and increase their bank accounts.  Satan may slander, question, or contradict God, His Word, and His promises to draw us away from God, but having the sword of the Spirit and using it defensively enables us to quote God’s Word, thus deflecting Satan’s lies and temptations.

Study to know your Bible well enough to counter any of Satan’s temptations that may come your way!

“Jesus said unto him, ‘It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.’”  (Matthew 4:7)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#471 The Armor of God – Assurance with the Helmet of Salvation

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,  

While previously examining the security and hope (certainty) related to the helmet of salvation we have come to realize that Satan is a master of attempts of putting doubts and discouragement in our mind as to our salvation that is ours through faith in Jesus Christ.  But there is another element to the helmet of salvation that is an important feeling in our lives as a Christian, and that is the assurance of salvation that we have.  “Security is a fact; assurance is a feeling that comes to the obedient Christian.”[1]  As Satan attempts to destroy our assurance of salvation, the helmet of salvation assures us that we are eternally protected and we as Christians can be strong and depend on God’s promises of eternal salvation that we find in His Word.  With our trust in God, His Word, and His promises, we can have an inner peace that comes with the knowledge and assurance that no one can pluck us from His hands. [2]

If you are concerned about losing your salvation, protect your mind with the helmet of salvation, putting your trust in God, His Word, and His promise and assurance of your eternal salvation!

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise Him up at the last day.”  (John 6:39 – NASB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, (Nashville, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 2005.  Pg. 1706

[2] John 10:38

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#468 The Armor of God – Living by Faith

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Scripture tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”[1]  Those things hoped for are the promises that God has given us as Christians throughout the Bible, promises that we can depend upon as this “hope” is a “certainty,” not a “maybe,” like we experience so often here on earth.  When we trust in God, His Word, and His promises we have the certainty that those promises will be fulfilled.  Satan will do all he can to create doubt in God, His Word, and the fulfillment of His promises, planning and expecting to tear down our confidence in God.  Carrying the shield of faith will dispel any doubt Satan throws at us and enable us to take God at His Word without visible evidence and continually trust in God, His Word, and His promises.  What a blessing it is to live by faith and watch God defend, protect, and fight for us!

As you read and study God’s Word, take note of the promises that God has given you as a Christian, promises that you can depend upon to be fulfilled!

“Every word of God is pure:  He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”  (Proverbs 30:5)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] Hebrews 11:1

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#465 The Armor of God – God’s Protection and Plan against Satan

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Nearly a month ago, we were in the midst of devotionals on the theme of “The Armor of God” when it was necessary to break from the theme for a period of time.  As we resume, let us briefly review the first parts of armor that God has provided for our protection, resistance, and fight against the powers of darkness, Satan and his demons.  When we put on the armor of God we are actually putting on Jesus Christ Himself, identifying with, living for, and imitating Him in a way that transforms us into His image and likeness.[1]  In believing in Jesus Christ, our faith in Him gives us the strength to be “strong in the Lord,”[2] and the armor of God enables us to maintain the strength to withstand the wiles of Satan.  Just as with the first piece of armor of a Roman soldier, the belt, we are to put on the Belt of Truth, the truthfulness of God and His Word, living as people of the Truth.  We are then to adorn the Breastplate of Righteousness, putting our belief and trust in God and His righteousness, not our own, and relying on the justice of God’s righteousness.  As the feet of any foot soldier must be properly protected, we are to stand firmly on the gospel of peace, allowing God to give us an inner peace that only He can provide.

Allow God to protect you from the wiles of Satan by wearing the armor of God!   

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  (I John 3:8)

May God Richly Bless You Today

 

[1] Romans 13:14

[2] Ephesians 6:10