" Not Valiant for the Truth "

Jeremiah 9:1-16   " OH that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people ! OH that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them ! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not ME, saith the LORD. Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know ME, saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD of Hosts,  'Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of MY people ? Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. Shall I not visit them for these things ? saith the LORD: shall not MY soul be avenged on such a nation as this ? For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness  a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through them; neither can men hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Who is the wise man, that may understand this ? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through ? And the LORD saith,  Because they have forsaken MY law which I set before them, and have not obeyed MY voice, neither walked therein; but have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim (idol), which their fathers taught them: therefore thus saith the LORD of Hosts, the GOD of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.' "

     It is not difficult to pinpoint the sins that brought the Israelites into such a pitiful condition. In verse three the LORD says, "They know not ME "; and in verse six GOD goes one step further by stating,  "They refuse to know ME." The underlying problem was their rebellious refusal to walk with the LORD. Of course, most of them vehemently denied these accusations; yet, it was clear that although they  professed to know the LORD, they were only deceiving themselves. Having  "taught their tongue to speak lies" (v.5), the Israelites were at the point where they could not even distinguish truth from lies. As the result, they fell victim to Satan's many delusions.

     Furthermore, the LORD also said of them,  "They have forsaken MY law ... neither walked therein"  (v.13), and the result was that they  "walked after the imagination of their own heart"  (v.14). This reminds us of 2 Timothy 4:4 "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Remember, dismissing GOD's truth always leads to dulled discernment and, ultimately, to the capitulation to error.

     Another oft-overlooked cause for Israel's backsliding is delineated in the middle of verse three- "They are not valiant for the truth."  A believer must never be passive about truth. Wherever GOD's truth is involved, a conflict is inevitable; therefore, a valiant attitude toward that truth is absolutely essential. Just a mental, privately-held assent to the truth will not protect the believer against backsliding. GOD desires for HIS truth to be CONTINUALLY and BOLDLY proclaimed and actively used to EXPOSE and OPPOSE ERROR; otherwise, the error enjoys a protected haven and will rapidly proliferate (multiply/spread). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" Clay in the POTTER's Hands "

Jeremiah 18:1-10   " The WORD which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, ' Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear MY WORD's.' Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter:  so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  Then the WORD of the LORD came to me, saying, ' O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter ? saith the LORD.  Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in MINE hand, O house of Israel. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a Kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;  if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil,  I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.  And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a Kingdom, to build and to plant it;  if it do evil in MY sight, that it obey not MY voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.' " 

     The basic truth emphasized in our text is the power of the POTTER and the insignificance of the clay.  It is absolutely vital for us to grasp this concept. Atheists deny the very existence of a  "POTTER."  Liberal religionists claim that the  "clay"  has developed to such an extent that it can now shape itself.  But true believers should accept the glorious truth that the best place for the clay is in the POTTER's hands.

     In the prophet Jeremiah's day, the people were greatly distressed due to their enemies, but in their pride, they refused to recognize the underlying reason for their problems and the only cure.  Had Israel been willing to trust the LORD and become as clay in the POTTER's hand, they could have enjoyed victory and GOD's blessing.  But this Israelite  "clay"  refused to be molded by the POTTER; as a result, they instead had to be  "broken"  by the POTTER. How tragic, and yet how completely avoidable, this was !

     It is easy for us to find fault with backsliding Israel; then again, how often do we, likewise, act as though the "clay" can do everything and refuse to surrender to the POTTER.  Have we forgotten that even our work for the LORD is not ours,  but  HIS ?  As Bible-believing fundamentalists, have we fallen into the  "Slough of Despond"  because we are so weak and few in number ? Have we forgotten that GOD can and will take the most unlikely lump of clay and shape it into a vessel  "meet for the MASTER's use"  (2nd.Timothy 2:21) ?  Are we trying to compete with other  "vessels"  rather than being willing to be broken and formed anew by the POTTER ?  Let us be content in simply being clay in the POTTER's hands, shaped according to HIS will, so that HE will have all the glory. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Marks of a True Believer "

1st. John 3:4-10   " Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.  And ye know that HE was manifested to take away our sins; and in HIM is no sin.  Whosoever abideth in HIM sinneth not: whosoever sinneth (habitually) hath not seen HIM, neither known HIM.  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as HE is righteous.  He that committeth sin (habitually) 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. Whosoever is born of GOD doth not commit sin (habitually); for HIS seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin (habitually), because he is born of GOD.  In this the children of GOD are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of GOD, neither he that loveth not his brother. "

     The Apostle Paul was not the only Apostle to address the need for Christians to examine themselves to determine whether or not they were even truly believers. John also dealt with this issue in today's text where he explains that genuine believers will show evidence of Salvation in their lives.  To truly be a child of GOD (vv.1-2) profoundly affects the way we live day-by-day.  In this text, John reveals the importance of understanding that a real relationship with CHRIST means a different kind of life !  John did not want his readers to be deceived into thinking that they could claim to be Christians while simultaneously living a life characterized by habitual, unconfessed sin.  This is what the Gnostic's were teaching. So John describes three characteristics of a true child of GOD:  First, a genuine believer will not habitually practice unconfessed sin (vv.4-6);  second, a true believer will continually practice righteousness (vv.6a,7);  third, a sincere believer has a permanent new nature (v.9).

     Many people today call themselves Christians while showing no interest in the body of CHRIST and the Lordship of CHRIST and thinking that they can live any way they want.  GOD forbid (Romans 6:1-2) !  We are not perfect, and we never will be perfect this side of Heaven. Yet at the same time, we must abide in CHRIST and live a life marked by our commitment to JESUS CHRIST.  Keep in mind, today's text has nothing to do with  "dos" and "don'ts" for Salvation;  it simply explains the characteristics of the life of one who truly is saved.  This is how we can  "examine ourselves"  and  "prove ourselves." We always need to measure ourselves by GOD's WORD, not our own ideas, feelings, or experiences.MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" Healing for a Hurting World "

Luke 4:16-22   " And HE came to Nazareth, where HE had been brought up: and, as HIS custom was, HE went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.  And there was delivered unto HIM the book (scroll) of the prophet Esaias (Isaiah).  And when HE had opened the book, HE found the place where it was written,  ' The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME, because HE hath anointed ME to preach the Gospel to the poor;  HE hath sent ME to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the LORD.'  And HE closed the book (scroll), and HE gave it again to the minister (attendant), and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on HIM.  And HE began to say unto them,  'This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.'  And all bare HIM witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of HIS mouth.  And they said,  Is not this Joseph's son ? "

   People are hurting all over the world.  Physical pain, spiritual misery, mental anguish, emotional wounds, and suffering of every kind are experienced by everyone regardless of race, nationality, language, skin color, or religious belief. Sin is the original cause of this condition. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).  But this hopeless condition was remedied by JESUS CHRIST WHO is the exclusive cure.  "For as by one man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one (JESUS) shall many be made righteous" (Romans 5:19).

     When JESUS began HIS public ministry, HE was handed the scroll of Isaiah, and HE found the place that prophesied of HIM (Isaiah 61:1-2a).  These are the words HE read: "The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME, because HE hath anointed ME to preach the Gospel to the poor;  HE hath sent ME to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised..." (vv.18-19).  This is why JESUS came from heaven, was born in a manger in Bethlehem, and lived among HIS people as GOD in human flesh.  HE not only helped people physically but also spiritually.  As the ANOINTED ONE of GOD, HE proclaimed the Good News to those who were spiritually poor, wretched, and miserable.  HE came to heal those whose lives were shattered by sin.  HE came to set free those who were in bondage to sin and the devil, to give spiritual sight to the blind, to release those who were bruised and broken (Isaiah 53:4-5).  JESUS alone is the spiritual healing for a hurting world. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The KING Eternal "

1st. Timothy 1:17   " Now unto the KING eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise GOD, be honor and glory for ever and ever.  AMEN.

     The Bible makes it clear that the LORD JESUS CHRIST, our wonderful SAVIOR, is also  "KING of Kings,  and  LORD of Lords" (Revelation 19:16).  One day, JESUS CHRIST "shall be KING over all the earth"  (Zechariah 14:9), but believers have the joy and privilege of acknowledging HIM as KING right now. Lamentably, many verbally acknowledge JESUS CHRIST as KING, but their works contradict their words.  During HIS earthly ministry, JESUS pointed out this common disparity between words and deeds when HE asked,  "And why call ye ME, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say ?"  (Luke 6:46).  Israel wanted the blessings of the kingdom without having to give their allegiance to the KING.  Those who seek to please men not only rob the LORD JESUS CHRIST of the honor that is rightfully HIS, but they also are deprived of the blessed joy and peace that comes to those who truly bow their knees to the KING.

     Our wonderful KING of Kings deserves all honor and glory forever, but is HE truly KING of our lives at this very moment ?  Are we hiding the WORDs of the KING in our hearts  (Psalm 119:11) ?  Are we seeking to give the KING first place in our lives every moment of every day (Matthew 6:33) ?  Let us be even more specific.  How many times have we put GOD first today ?  How many times have we looked into HIS WORD today to discover how we can please and honor HIM ?  How much of our planning is centered around bringing honor and glory to the  "KING eternal" ?  Our daily goal should be to please the LORD, "that in all things HE might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Blessed Hope & The Glorious Appearing "

Titus 2:11-15   " For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST; WHO gave HIMSELF for us, that HE might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto HIMSELF a peculiar (special) people, zealous of good works.  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no man despise thee. "

     We look forward to special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, holidays, or other opportunities to celebrate with family and friends. It seems that we are "wired" to enjoy and appreciate such times together. But as believers, we are promised something far more tangible, beneficial, and significant than mere earthly celebrations. This promised event is the focal point of today's reading - the "blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST" (v.13). This event is a promise that the LORD gives to us purely by HIS grace, and that fact makes it far more meaningful than anything we can possibly experience in this life.

     When Scripture uses the word hope, it is not merely "wishful thinking" or desiring something to happen, such as wanting a favorite team to win a sporting event. In Scripture, hope conveys the idea of certainty; it can be defined as "confident expectation." Hope is the confident expectation that something is surely going to transpire. The Apostle Paul was confident that this hope would occur just as GOD had promised. Paul described this hope as "blessed," for it will bring joy to all who experience it.

     The Bible exhorts believers to longingly anticipate this hope, with an eagerness and desire that is in sharp contrast to what most people tend to express. In other words, the longing for this blessed hope - the appearing of our SAVIOR - is to offset our desire or yearning for the insobriety, ungodliness, and worldly lusts that we naturally see expressed, even by believers in CHRIST, on a regular basis. This blessed hope is to be our daily motivation to live for our LORD in ways that bring honor and glory to HIM.

     As Christians, we are to anticipate eagerly, to yearn longingly, for our LORD's return to catch us away (the Rapture) from this present evil world to be with HIMSELF. Today's reading refers to this event as the "blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST." What a fitting way to describe the removal of church age believers from this world ! Paul depicts this event with two phrases: first, from the perspective of those who will not experience death - a "blessed hope."  As we saw previously, this is something we should desire to experience every waking moment. It is something that should factor into our daily thinking. Aside from our genuine love for the LORD, HIS coming should be a strong motivating factor as we live out what it means to be Christian in this world - knowing that at any moment, day or night, the LORD might catch us away to be with HIMSELF in Heaven, "and so shall we ever be with the LORD" (1st.Thess. 4:17).  Think about that: We will physically be "with" the ONE WHO gave HIS life for us, WHO paid the penalty for our sins, because of HIS great mercy, grace, and love. At that very moment, we will begin living our lives by "sight."  No longer will "faith" retain the important role it now plays (1st.Cor.13:13).

     Additionally, the Bible describes this event as "the glorious appearing," or literally, "the appearing in glory" of "the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST."  The phrase in verse thirteen is constructed in such a way as to indicate that this event has two designations but is the same occurrence. For the believer, it is the "blessed hope";  for CHRIST, it is HIS appearing in glory ! We hope that perhaps HE will return today ! GDF        MARANATHA !

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.feasite.org

" True Self - Denial "

Matthew 16:22-24   " Then Peter took HIM, and began to rebuke HIM, saying, 'Be it far from THEE, LORD:  this shall not be unto THEE.'  But HE turned, and said unto Peter, 'Get thee behind me, Satan:  thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of GOD, but those that be of men.'  Then said JESUS unto HIS disciples, 'If any man will come after ME, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow ME.' "

     Our society has been inundated and influenced by the self-esteem movement to the point that it is no longer perceived as anything but the most familiar and acceptable way of thinking.  In a 1984 issue of the Ladies Home Journal, women are assured that  "feeling good about ourselves may, in fact, be the cornerstone of our total well-being."  Since they think this is likely, the writers of the article logically propose the following counsel:  "Take positive steps to enhance"  your  "self-esteem."

     This advice is not uncommon within  or  without the church, for women or for men.  But this kind of advice is counterproductive to biblical truth.  When JESUS gently upbraided Martha for being distracted about serving, HE told her she needed  "one thing" (Luke 10:42).  The need of which HE spoke was not the  "need"  for a sense of personal worth or for the acceptance of oneself as a strong, self-sufficient person.  The need was for CHRIST HIMSELF and HIS WORD - that which Mary (Martha's sister) had rightly chosen (Luke 10:39).

     In today's text, Peter exhorts the LORD JESUS, in essence, to pity HIMSELF. He uses a term ("be it far"  or "far be it") that calls for GOD to be gracious and favorable to JESUS so that this suffering and death can be avoided (v.21). What an immense difference between Peter's statement and our LORD's (vv. 22, 24): "pity YOURSELF" versus  "deny YOURSELF" !  Yet all of us are doing one or the other - pitying and sparing self,  or denying and ignoring self.  Sadly, the vast majority of people today (even many professing Christians) are coddling self and seeking to boost their  "self-esteem."  The proposal to pity oneself is from Satan (v.23).  The call to deny self comes from GOD (v.24). JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
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" GOD Said . . . "

Hosea 4:1   " HEAR the WORD of the LORD, ye children of Israel:  for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of GOD in the land. "

     From the beginning of the Bible to the end, we read repeatedly that  "GOD said"  or  "the LORD said."  After all, it is the WORD of GOD !  Just the first chapter of Genesis alone uses the phrase,  "and GOD said," ten times.  It is clear that GOD has chosen to communicate to the world HE created so that people might know WHO HE is and what HIS will is for their lives.  Thus, the problem is not that GOD has not revealed HIMSELF or expressed HIS will but that people choose to reject what GOD has spoken.

     When it comes to being saved from sin, people write their own prescription and think they can get to heaven their own way.  BUT JESUS, GOD in the flesh, said,  " I AM the way, the truth, and the life;  no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by ME " (John 14:6).  Many think they can reach heaven by being and doing good.  Others deny they are sinners, BUT GOD says,  " For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD " (Romans 3:23).

HE also says,  " NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us " (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9).  Some think they are too bad to go to heaven and that GOD does not want to save them, BUT Romans 5:8 says, "GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us."

   Everyone has his own opinion on the moral issues of the day and how one should live.  Man is continually creating new standards to make himself comfortable in his own opinion.  BUT GOD has already spoken (Matthew 5:21-48). HE has the first and last WORD on the sanctity of life,  on reconciliation, on moral purity,  on marriage,  on proper speech,  and on loving one's enemies. Our GOD has spoken,  and we must listen and obey. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Forbidding Evil Alliances "

2nd. Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1   " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ?  And what concord hath CHRIST with Belial or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ?  And what agreement hath the temple of GOD with idols ? for ye are the temple of the living GOD; as GOD hath said,  ' I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a FATHER unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD ALMIGHTY.'  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD. "

     What has happened to the doctrine of biblical separation ?  Our Holy GOD is completely separate from all that is sinful and defiled, so why is it so difficult for HIS children to understand why separation is important ?  Why is the implementation of separation so inconsistent ? Today's text contains a series of rhetorical questions pertaining to false and true worship introduced by the clear-cut statement in verse fourteen - " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."  This is not something that is open to debate, discussion, or dialogue. It is unambiguous.  A Christian and a non-Christian cannot work together in any relationship where spiritual things are the focus.  This does not mean, however, that a Christian cannot be employed by an unbeliever, nor does it mean that a Christian should not have non-Christian friends.  Rather, the context (6:17-7:1) is about doing the work of ministry.

     The Apostle Paul's questions indicate that there are, in essence, two different religions in this world:  one about and for man;  the other about and for GOD. They are two mutually exclusive belief systems that cannot be combined or united in order to gain a better or more effective system of ministry or worship - thus, the call for separation.

     Today, many are looking for ways to work together with people of different faiths.  They seem to bend over backward for the opportunity to align themselves or work with religious systems that are opposed to biblical truths (Roman Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.).  As GOD has received us (6:17) and we are now HIS  "sons and daughters"  (v.18), let us purpose to reflect that relationship by faithful obedience to HIS WORD. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.  www.feasite.org