#543 Lessons from Ants (Proverbs 6:6-8) – A Just God Judges Our Service

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christians are to labor laboriously not only so the Lord will remember and honor our work for Him, but also because our works for the Lord will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  This judgment does not determine whether someone is going to Heaven or Hell; this is for Christians only, those who have accepted Christ as personal Savior.  Those who have not accepted Him are bound for eternal separation from God and will be judged solely on whether they accepted or rejected Jesus Christ as personal Savior.  It is necessary that the service of all born-again Christians be analyzed and evaluated with the Judgment Seat of Christ being God’s appraisal of Christians’ works and service for Him in this life, determining reward or loss of reward.  No works in this life for God will receive no reward when judged by our righteous God.  It should be our desire to please and honor the Lord in such a way that He will be pleased to present a reward to us.  Our greatest reward will be spending eternity with Him in Heaven, thus we should have a desire to have a thirst for the things of the Lord and a thirst for industriousness in serving the Lord, knowing that we are honoring and glorifying Him.

As a Christian, are you ready to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ as your service for Him is evaluated?

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”  (II Corinthians 5:10 – ESV)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#542 Lessons from Ants (Proverbs 6:6-8) – A Just God Remembers Our Service

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How can it be said that working laboriously in service for the Lord is so important?  God’s Word reveals reasons that should make us think twice before yielding to idleness or laziness.  From a positive standpoint God has promised that our work in serving Him will be remembered and honored, and God being just and righteous means He cannot fail to fulfill His promises.  Failing to remember and honor our service for Him would make Him unjust and unrighteous, and we know that God is not unjust or unrighteous.  Our work for Him, including witnessing for Him and performing deeds of love toward fellow believers should be done in His name, giving Him the honor and glory.  Performing the deeds of love toward fellow believers should be driven by pure love for our Christian brothers and sisters in Christ, knowing there is no hope for reciprocal action from them.  The fact that God is righteous, remembering and honoring our service for Him, should give us an even stronger desire to be diligent about His service.

As a Christian, show the love toward your fellow Christians that God has shown toward you!

“God is not unjust:  He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”  (Hebrews 6:10 – NIV)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#501 Judgment and Promises (Isaiah 65) – A Christian’s Ultimate Hope

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The ultimate hope of God’s people is a place of perfection in which to live, a place that could only come with new heavens and a new earth, this also being the final goal in God’s plan of redemption for mankind.  As The Book of the Prophet Isaiah draws to a close God inspires him to write about this place of perfection in which we as Christians will abide.  But, the emphasis of this hope does not do away with the fact of judgment for those defying God and failing to accept Christ as Savior.  The righteousness of God demands that judgment be placed upon unbelievers while reward is presented those who believe and accept Him.  The new heavens and new earth will be a place for believers where sin and evil will no longer have dominion, a place where the pain of the past will not even come to remembrance.  Let’s continue looking at this magnificent hope of ours tomorrow.  

The most important question:  “Have you prepared to spend eternity in the new heavens and new earth by accepting Christ as Savior?”

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:  and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”  (Isaiah 65:16)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#491 Judgment and Promises (Isaiah 65) – God’s Righteousness Displayed

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Isaiah 65 gives us a beautiful picture of the righteousness of God.  He is patient, shows mercy and grace, but when someone, whether an individual or nation, refuses to turn from defiant ways God’s justice is affirmed with His judgment.  God knows the hearts and minds of all of us and His righteousness determines what is a fair reward or judgment.  The nation of Israel had been so wicked God had determined the whole nation would suffer punishment and judgment; however, God’s love and mercy is shown through His promise that the punishment and judgment would not be total.  Using the analogy of a few grapes with juice being left after the vineyards have been gleaned, God promised that some Israelites would remain faithful to Him and not be destroyed.  This preserved remnant would mean the coming judgment would not mean the end of Israel.  Nations of the world today may defy God or fail to acknowledge Him, but there will always be a few who will continue to serve and remain faithful to Him.

Though others around you turn from God and practice false religions, remain faithful to Him and be a witness for Him to others!

“Thus saith the Lord, ‘As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, ‘Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it:’ so will I do for My servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.’”  (Isaiah 65:8)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#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

#442 “Blessing from the LORD”

Guest devotional by Dr. David L. Lowrie, Jr., Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, El Paso, Texas 

“He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:5)

When one climbs the hill of the LORD with clean hands and a pure heart amazing joy awaits. The Psalmist notes that this one “shall receive the blessing from the LORD.” This blessing is far more than the fleeting happiness of this life—it is a blessing that touches both body and soul. We would be wise to note this blessing comes from the “LORD.” The Psalmist chose the personal name for God. In other words, this blessing is not simply from the God who watches over the universe, but rather from the LORD who knows you by name and has opened to you access into His presence. In addition, since He is the LORD—all power on heaven and earth are at His disposal. On the hill of the LORD awaits blessings beyond imagine combined with “righteousness”—right standing with the God of our salvation. So what is weighing you down today? Take it to His holy hill and seek the blessing of being in His presence and experiencing His touch on your life.

May His blessing and righteousness be yours today!