Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that says unto me, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the will of MY FATHER which is in Heaven. Many will say to ME in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in THY name ? and in THY name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity."
Much that exists under the banner of Christianity has little or nothing to do with true biblical Christianity. Today's Christianity has been loaded down with the baggage of men's religious ideas. True biblical Christianity is based exclusively upon direct revelation from GOD given in HIS WORD, the Bible. In today's text, JESUS warned of those whose "Christianity" would be highly religious but not truly Christian. JESUS shared that the way of Salvation is narrow: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). The way of Salvation is not open to our ideas or opinions; it is exclusive. Either we lay aside our ideas and come to GOD as HE requires, or we will some day hear HIS WORDs, "Depart from ME" (v.23).
Some were offended when they heard JESUS speak, just as many today are offended when confronted with the exclusiveness of JESUS' WORDs: "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man comes unto the FATHER, but by ME" (John 14:6). The Bible declares, "Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). If JESUS were to walk this earth today and proclaim the same "narrow" message of Salvation HE preached 2,000 years ago, it would likely be so-called "Christians" who would crucify HIM. Is your Christianity based on men's thoughts about CHRIST, or are you basing your faith solely upon what GOD has revealed in HIS WORD ? Your eternity rests upon the answer ! JMC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
Psalm 142:1-7 "I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before HIM; I showed before HIM my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then THOU knew my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto THEE, O LORD: I said, THOU art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise THY name: the righteous shall compass me about; for THOU shalt deal bountifully with me."
In David's distress he cried out to the LORD, "No man cared for my soul" (v.4b). He was distraught. Although he had called to GOD for help (V.1), he had not yet received his answer, and a feeling of loneliness overwhelmed him (v.3a). He found himself in a very difficult time of trouble (v.2b), for his enemies were trying to ensnare him (v.3b). Everywhere he turned, he was overlooked by others (v.4); his earthly refuge failed. He had been brought low, and his enemies' strength surpassed his own (v.6). Daily cares and dangers brought this man of GOD to the brink of despair.
Today, many of GOD's dear children are facing similar situations and are going through times of greater trials than ever before. The world is experiencing rapid change and great upheaval. Nations are changing; churches are changing; people are changing; moral and spiritual standards are changing. Separation from those we love or those we have come to depend upon often causes emotional devastation, whether it be separation because of the death of a husband, wife, child, or some other dear one or whether it be separation from family members or fellow believers who are living in sin and resentful of scriptural reproof and rebuke. But let us not forget that whenever GOD takes a dear one from our side, HE has promised to fill the void (Psalm 68:4-6). And, when our loneliness is a result of biblical separation from false teachers, disobedient brethren, and the world, let us not forget the promise of GOD to "be a FATHER" unto those who "come out" and "touch not the unclean thing" (2nd.Corinthians 6:14-18). the LORD has a perfect place of refuge for you, and HE absolutely cares when no one else does.
We must not forget that even in those times when it seems to us no one cares, our LORD does care. And because GOD is all-wise, all-powerful, and all-loving, HE is the best companion anyone could ever have, and HIS companionship is eternal ! Separation from HIM is impossible, for CHRIST promised, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b). However, if we allow our human feelings to dominate, then we open the door for Satan to take advantage of us. It is in those times of deep despair and discouragement that we are apt to speak and act according to the flesh rather than the SPIRIT. David's time of discouragement actually prevented him from fully enjoying the promises of GOD. However, David did take his troubles, his anxieties, and his complaints to the LORD in prayer (vv.1-2, 5-7). He knew in his heart that the LORD was his only real refuge and that GOD would "deal bountifully" with him (vv.5,7). So why then did the psalmist cry out, "No man cared for my soul" (v.4) ?
David initially focused on his circumstances rather than on GOD's promises (2nd.Peter 1:3-4). The LORD wanted him to learn lessons that only the failure of the "arm of flesh" could teach (2nd.Chronicles 32:8). Today when so many faithful pastors, churches, and individuals are going through times of testing and when loneliness increases as we take our stand for the truth and against error, let us quickly learn every lesson the LORD wants to teach us. Despondency will overtake us unless we take to heart the promises of our LORD. Does anyone care ? Yes, "HE cares for you" (1st.Peter 5:7), and GOD will prove HIMSELF faithful to all who look to HIM in faith during their time of need. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
Matthew 28:1-8 "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the LORD descended from Heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lighting, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek JESUS which was crucified. HE is not here: for HE is risen, as HE said. Come, see the place where the LORD lay. And go quickly, and tell HIS disciples that HE is risen from the dead; and, behold,, HE goes before you into Galilee; there shall ye see HIM: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring HIS disciples word. "
The message of JESUS' death, burial, and resurrection is called the Gospel, a word meaning "good news." The resurrection of JESUS is the joyful proclamation of the Christian. On that resurrection morning several women "departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring HIS disciples word" (v.8) that JESUS "is risen from the dead" (v.7). Mary Magdalene had a personal encounter with the resurrected LORD and went and told the disciples that HE was alive (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:18). Two on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with the risen JESUS and declared to the other disciples the message: "The LORD is risen indeed" (Luke 24:34).
Before the LORD JESUS ascended bodily into Heaven, HE gave to HIS disciples the "Great Commission." HE said, "GO ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). CHRIST gave Peter the special commission to "feed MY lambs" and "feed MY sheep" (John 21:15-17). JESUS instructed HIS disciples: "But ye shall receive power, after that the HOLY SPIRIT is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). And indeed, on the day of Pentecost, GOD empowered the Apostle Peter to preach concerning the life, death, burial, and resurrection of CHRIST, resulting in the Salvation of about 3,000 souls (Acts 2:14-42). You and I have a life-changing message that the whole world needs to hear from our lips and view in our lives. We serve a RISEN SAVIOR ! PNF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
