"GOD's Jealousy Demands Our Zeal for HIM"

Titus 2:11-15  "For the grace of GOD that brings 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 the 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." 

     GOD in HIS Holy jealousy, demands our exclusive devotion and unreserved love. Our response to GOD's jealousy over us needs to be our fervent zeal for HIM. We are to have a red-hot and burning zeal to honor the LORD and to be found well-pleasing in HIS sight. Lukewarmness has no place among the devoted people of GOD.

     J.C.Ryle, and English preacher from the 1800's, explained the meaning of true zeal for JESUS CHRIST as follows:  "Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please GOD, to do HIS will, and to advance HIS glory in the world in every possible way. A zealous man in religion is pre-eminently a man of one thing. It is not enough to say that he is earnest, hearty, uncompromising, thorough-going, whole-hearted, fervent in spirit. He sees only one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please GOD. Whether he lives, or whether he dies - whether he has health, or whether he has sickness - whether he is rich, or whether he is poor - whether he pleases man, or whether he gives offense - whether he is thought wise, or whether he is thought foolish -whether he gets blame, or whether he gets praise - whether he gets honor, or whether he gets shame - for all this the zealous man cares nothing at all. He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please GOD, and to advance GOD's glory. If he is consumed in the very burning, he cares not for it - he is content. He feels that, like a lamp, he is made to burn; and if he is consumed in burning, he has but done the work for which GOD appointed him."  May we today be people of one thing: "This one thing I do" (Philippians 3:13-14; Psalm 27:4; Luke 10:42). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.    www.feasite.org

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" GOOD NEWS for Uncertain Times "

Luke 21:25-28   "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of Heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the SON of MAN coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these thing begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh."

     We are living in trying and difficult days. Crises abound on every side, both nationally and internationally. But in spite of these troubling times, nonetheless, there is GOOD NEWS: 1. GOD is still on HIS throne (Psalm 11:4). HE still rules "over all the kingdoms of the heathen" (2nd.Chronicles 20:6). 2. The LORD JESUS is still the KING of kings and LORD of lords, WHOSE coming is now nearer than when we first believed (Revelation 19:16; Romans 13:11). 3. The Bible is still living and powerful and life-changing (Hebrews 4:12; 2nd.Timothy 3:16-17). 4. The SON of MAN is still seeking the lost (Luke 19:10), still desiring that all men might be saved and come to "the knowledge of the truth" (1st.Timothy 2:4). 5. The HOLY SPIRIT is still convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). 6. The Gospel is still "the power of GOD unto salvation" to everyone that believes (Romans 1:16).

     7. The LORD JESUS CHRIST is still able to save "to the uttermost" (completely !) all who come unto GOD through HIM (Hebrews 7:25). 8. The cross, not the government, is still our only hope of Salvation (Galatians 6:14), and those who trust in man are still under GOD's curse (Jeremiah 17:5). 9. In difficult times, the LORD will still take care of HIS own (Matthew 10:28-31). 10. The ONE WHO lives in believers is still greater than the god of this world (1st.John 4:4). 11. The living GOD will still be with us always, and HIS promise is still true that HE will never leave us and will never forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6). 12. No matter what difficulties we may face in the upcoming days as we live in this GOD-despising and truth-hating world, our LORD is yet faithful and will preserve HIS own and keep us from falling (Jude 24). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.    www.feasite.org

" The Extent of Divine Forgiveness "

Psalm 32:1-11   "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silent, my bones waxed old through my roaring (groaning) all the day long. For day and night THY hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto THEE, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and THOU forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto THEE in a time when THOU may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

THOU art my hiding place; THOU shalt preserve me from trouble; THOU shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with MINE eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusts in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

     Using some incredibly powerful and poignant expressions, David wrote this amazing psalm of GOD's gracious forgiveness. He utilized two terms to describe his wicked behavior, likely to show the extent and the depth to which sin had sunk into his heart (v.1). His use of the word "transgression" specifies, in this context, a moral revolt against the LORD. David recognized this wickedness for exactly what it was: breaking the commands of GOD regarding covetousness, adultery, the dishonoring of family, and murder, to name a few. This term expresses David's rebellion against the LORD. The second word David used is "sin." The Old Testament uses this term over 500 times, and it means "to miss the mark" at which one is aiming. However, if the intended target is missed, then another one is hit; the sin, therefore, is exacerbated. Both "transgression" and "sin" express intentional moral perversion. The specific sins that David committed - adultery and murder - required that he be executed (Leviticus 20:10 see picture for verse; Deuteronomy 21:22; 22:8). the latter text entails deliberately endangering the life of another, which was exactly what David did to faithful Uriah in the battle (2nd.Samuel 11:14-15, see picture for verses).

     Yet despite David's deeply depraved and selfish desires and behavior, the LORD mercifully and graciously forgave him. HIS forgiveness is expressed with two interesting words: "forgiven" and "covered" (v.1). The term "forgiven" is a rich term with a wide variety of connotations that add to the extent of forgiveness. It conveys the idea of "to carry away, lift up, and help." In addition, the word "cover" means to completely "conceal" or "hide." Our gracious GOD has forgiven and covered all of our sins ! GDF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Gospel of Grace "

1st.Corinthians 15:1-4  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: . . . "

     What is every person's greatest need ? Most people tend to think in temporal terms, expressing the desire to have their physical needs met: health, finances, relationships, employment, etc. Yet the Apostle Paul never mentions any of these needs in his three defining chapters (Romans 1-3) that address man's greatest need of all - GOD's Salvation. Mankind has a very real and all-encompassing problem: sin. It was and is true of every single person to have ever lived, except JESUS CHRIST.

     Very early in his ministry, the Apostle Paul defined the Gospel, which alone is able to save man from his sin problem (Romans 1:16-17, see picture for verses) and thus is GOD's solution to man's greatest need (vv. 3-4). The term gospel conveys the idea of "good news." We know that good means "beneficial, profitable, or positive." What does the term news entail ? It is "a report of something, an event." The events included in the Gospel are: JESUS CHRIST died for our sins; the proof that HE died is that HE was buried; then, HE arose on the third day. Following HIS resurrection, numerous witnesses verified that JESUS was alive, including Paul (1st.Corinthians 15:5-8, see picture for verses). The Old Testament Scriptures also taught concerning the death and resurrection of the MESSIAH (Isaiah 53:5-10; Psalm 16:10 (see picture for verse; Luke 24:25-27).

     As believers, what is to be our response to man's greatest need ? We are to share the Gospel with others clearly and openly, exhorting unbelievers to be saved from their sin by putting their faith in that Gospel. Make a conscious effort to meditate on texts that spell out the Gospel message and that exemplify how it is to be presented. Pray and purpose to share the Gospel as the LORD opens the door for you to be HIS witness. GDF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.    www.feasite.org

" By Faith Alone "

Romans 5:1-2   "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST: by WHOM also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of GOD."

     Have you ever been questioned as to why you believe in Salvation by grace through faith alone in CHRIST alone ? Has anyone ever raised the objection to you that nowhere in Scripture do we find the word alone attached to words such as grace and faith ? Scripture indeed teaches that we are saved by faith alone, apart from any merit or works. Today's text explicitly declares that we are "justified by faith" (v.1). Nothing else is added to this simple, clear, direct statement. This is an important declaration because of what the term justification means. Justification is a legal term that means "to declare righteous." In fact, justification is the primary benefit of Salvation. Some even use the terms justification and salvation interchangeably because of texts such as Romans 5:1, which states that "we have peace with GOD" (v.1). This is not merely contentment; it means the "cessation of enmity, hostility" between two or more parties. It is acquired "by faith." What is faith ? It is simply taking GOD's WORD at face value; it means believing (trusting) that which the LORD has declared to be true.

     The bottom line is that one can do nothing nor must do something in order to be saved. It has already been done ! The price for our salvation has been paid in full "through our LORD JESUS CHRIST" (v.1). JESUS CHRIST has done ALL that is necessary to save sinners. CHRIST has paid the infinite price for us to be at "peace with GOD." GOD the FATHER requires nothing more to be accomplished (nor is that even possible) (Hebrews 10:12-18, see pictures for verses). HE offered the sufficient and ultimate payment for all sins for all time; therefore, it must be by "faith alone" in HIS sacrifice that sinners are "justified" ! (GDF)
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission.    www.feasite.org

" The Transforming Power of the Gospel "

Romans 1:16  "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST: for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile)."

     One of the greatest proofs of the validity and reality of true biblical Christianity is the transforming power of the Gospel of CHRIST, as the Apostle Paul declares in today's text. Paul's statement was not simply some truth he had come to accept but was a truth that had been learned and verified through personal experience. When the early preacher Stephen was stoned to death because of his public proclamation of the Gospel, Paul was present, "consenting unto [Stephen's] death" (Acts 8:1).

     The Apostle Paul, previously known as Saul, had aggressively engaged in the slaughter of Christians. If believers of that day had been asked to name the one person they though least likely to become a Christian, Saul would have been at the top of the list. But the gospel of JESUS CHRIST is powerful and is able to transform a life in a way that is nothing short of a true miracle. As Saul neared Damascus, intending to do great damage to the cause and name of CHRIST, in a startling moment everything changed. Please see the picture above, with Acts 9:3-6, to read the historical account of Saul's incredible conversion.

     When Paul wrote that the Gospel was "the power of GOD unto Salvation" (v.16), it was the testimony of a transforming miracle in his own life. It may well be that you are in need of a life-altering miracle in your own life. It may be, as with the Apostle, that such a change seems to be an unlikely happening. But as with Saul, this miracle of Salvation can become a reality in your own life ! JESUS said that "whosoever" believes in HIM can have eternal life and enjoy a relationship with GOD right now (John 3:16) ! Believe the Gospel message. GOD wants to save lost sinners and transform lives. JMC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used by permission.   www.feasite.org