" WORD of TRUTH Lighthouse "

Saturday, June 20, 2015

" I Have Sinned "

1st.Samuel 15:1-26 " Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over HIS people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.

And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then came the WORD of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth ME that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following ME, and hath not performed MY commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear ? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy GOD; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel ? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD ? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of the Amalekites, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy GOD in Gilgal.

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the WORD of the LORD, HE hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou has rejected the WORD of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. "

It is imperative that when we sin, we confess our sin without making excuses for it. When Adam and Eve sinned, they acknowledged their sin but were quick to pass the blame (Genesis 3:12-13). When Judas realized the result of his betrayal of JESUS, he said, " I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood " (Matthew 27:4), but he was full of regret and not true biblical repentance. Saying " I have sinned " is significant, but if the heart is not truly repentant, saying the words means nothing.

Saul knew GOD's will. He was to " utterly destroy " Amalek (v.3). But he destroyed only what he considered " vile and refuse " while keeping King Agag alive and saving the best of the animals (v.9). When confronted by Samuel, Saul lied and piously said, " I have performed the commandment of the LORD " (v.13). Then, when he was accused of disobedience, Saul blamed the people (v.15). Religious piety will never cover up one's sin. Being religious is not necessarily being righteous, for " rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry " (v.23). Eventually Saul confessed and said, " I have sinned " (v.24), but his life displayed no true repentance.

David sinned against GOD when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed in battle (2nd.Samuel 11:1-12; 12). But when confronted, a difference existed between Saul and David. David, too, confessed, " I have sinned against the LORD " (2nd.Samuel 12:13), but he expressed true repentance. He did not blame others nor make excuses; he simply humbled himself before the LORD (Psalm 51). Confession of sin and genuine repentance are crucial to restoring fellowship with GOD. (1st.John 1:9)JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Thursday, June 18, 2015

" GOD the CREATOR of Life "

Psalm 139:14-16 "I will praise THEE; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are THY works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from THEE, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. THINE eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in THY book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. "

The Scriptures answer the important question: " What is the origin of life ?" GOD is the CREATOR of life. In the case of man, the Bible specifically states, "And the LORD GOD formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7) Yes, GOD is the CREATOR of life, and each time a child is conceived in the womb, it is more than merely a biological happening. Not only did the hand of GOD "form" the first man, but HIS hand likewise forms every life that appears within the womb. The Hebrew word for form describes a hands-on, creative work; this term was also used during Bible times when referring to a potter who molds clay with his hands as it spins upon the wheel.

In today's text, the psalmist David gives a detailed depiction of GOD forming his body within the womb of his mother. A careful study of these verses indicates that the LORD has a record of each individuals genetic code. The formation of every person's distinct characteristics is not a matter of chance. Of even greater intrigue and moral implication is Jeremiah 1:5, where the LORD disclosed to Jeremiah that HIS purpose for the prophet's life was predetermined before GOD had even created him in the womb.

GOD is the CREATOR of life ! The ramifications are self-evident. Each human life is formed by the hand of GOD with purpose. Destroying that within the womb which is being formed by the hand of GOD is an act of grave consequence - to the murderer, but also to society in general. Humanity is robbed of many whom GOD "ordained" for a life that would benefit other people, or even nations ! GOD is the CREATOR of life ! JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

" The Grace of GOD in Action "

Titus 2:11-13 " 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 the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST; "

Grace is often defined as " unmerited favor. " It functions apart from any worthiness or human achievement. Salvation is entirely and always by GOD's grace through faith. According to our text, the grace of GOD accomplishes four things in one's life. We will consider these four things in this study.

The grace of GOD proffers salvation (v.11). To proffer means to offer for acceptance. The LORD desires that HIS proffered salvation be received by men, women, and children of all ages. HE has provided salvation through CHRIST for all people of all generations. Anyone who receives GOD's grace gift by faith can have this wonderful gift of eternal life and a relationship with GOD. The provision is as great as the need. Salvation is not giving something to GOD but receiving something from HIM. The gift of GOD, expressly stated, is "eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD " (Romans 6:23).

The grace of GOD prohibits ungodly, worldly living - it "teaches us" that we are to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" (v.12). Following the new birth, the grace of GOD through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT works from within the believer, causing the true child of GOD to renounce those thoughts, actions, and habits that are ungodly (not GOD-like) and worldly (of this world system, which is dominated by Satan and doomed to destruction). Believers are in the world but are not to be of the world. If "everybody's doing it," then that is probably a good reason for a Christian to refrain from doing it. We are saved by grace; we are kept by grace; we are taught by grace. How wonderful it is that GOD's grace abounds in the heart and life of HIS own !

The grace of GOD is one of the most wonderful themes in the Bible. It is GOD's grace that has made us "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). Elsewhere, Scripture describes it as "exceeding abundant" (1st.Timothy 1:14). We are looking at the final two examples of GOD's grace in action in the life of HIS children, for this study.

The grace of GOD promotes sober, righteous, godly living. Our text reminds us that GOD's grace teaches us we "should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (v.12b). In other words, it produces important attributes of Christian character. Living "soberly" means that we give serious attention to eternal things - the very opposite of self-indulgence and self-esteem, which worldliness promotes. Living "righteously" involves honesty, truthfulness, morality, courtesy, kindness, and genuine concern for the welfare of others. Righteous living never wrongs anyone in any way. We must never "do evil, that good may come" (Romans 3:8). And, last but not least...

The grace of GOD provides every believer with a glorious hope for the future. The destiny of every child of GOD is the heavenly FATHER's house. We know we are on the way home. Our prospect for the future is bright. We have a "blessed hope"; we joyfully anticipate the "glorious appearing" of our LORD and SAVIOR (v.13). We eagerly await the redemption of our sinful, fleshly bodies. The grace of GOD in action offers salvation to all sinners, provides sanctification for all believers, and promises glorification to every child of GOD. May we thank the LORD for HIS abundant grace and allow HIS grace to complete its perfect work in our lives every moment of every day. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Thursday, June 11, 2015

" The Blessing of Broken Things "

Psalm 51:1-19 " Have mercy upon me, O GOD, according to THY lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of THY tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against THEE, THEE only, have I sinned, and done this evil in THY sight: that THOU mightest be justified when THOU speakest, and be clear when THOU judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, THOU desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part THOU shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop. and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear Joy and gladness; that the bones which THOU hast broken may rejoice. Hide THY face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O GOD; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from THY presence; and take not THY HOLY SPIRIT from me. Restore unto me the joy of THY salvation; and uphold me with THY free SPIRIT.

Then will I teach transgressors THY ways; and sinners shall be converted unto THEE. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O GOD, THOU GOD of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of THY righteousness. O LORD, open THOU my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth THY praise. For THOU desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: THOU delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O GOD, THOU wilt not despise. Do good in THY good pleasure unto Zion: build THOU the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt THOU be please with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon THINE alter. Psalm 51:1-19

Some people's lives are marked by clumsiness and accidents. Broken bones, broken teeth, or broken promises are not good, but there are some broken things that actually become avenues for GOD's hand of blessing. " The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. " (Psalm 34:18). The nearness of GOD is a special blessing to those who have had life-shattering experiences. When all others seem to desert you or are unable to help, the LORD is present with the brokenhearted and is able to provide salvation to those who are contrite of spirit. When (King) David confessed his sin to GOD, he requested of HIM, " Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which THOU hast broken may rejoice." (v.8) The things which broke the psalmist were the very things necessary to bring him to repentance and spiritual restoration. His stubborn will had to be broken before he could enjoy forgiveness and joy. David also declared that " the sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O GOD, THOU wilt not despise." (v.17) The LORD will not reject a broken and contrite heart, but HE gives grace to the humble (1st.Peter 5:5-6).

" HE healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3) There can be no healing apart from brokenness. The griefs that afflict the brokenhearted are bound up by the GREAT PHYSICIAN. One of the reasons why JESUS came to earth was " 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." (Luke 4:18-19) May the LORD break our hearts so that we may experience HIS presence, forgiveness, and fellowship. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

" Nevertheless the Foundation of GOD... "

Ephesians 4:13-16 " Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into HIM in all things, which is the head, even CHRIST: From WHOM the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. "

The truth is under attack today like never before. Not only are open denials of GOD's WORD prevalent in our society, but it seems that everywhere we turn we are bombarded with subtle remarks aimed at undermining people's faith in the Bible as the inerrant, inspired, eternal, unchangeable WORD of GOD. The vast majority of scholars, scientists, politicians, and "religious" liberals have rejected GOD's foundation. They do no want any absolutes whatsoever, for such would restrict their foolish imaginations. " Nevertheless the foundation of GOD standeth sure, " 2nd.Timothy 2:19a ! In these perilous times it should be a great comfort to know that we do have a sure foundation that will stand forever, no matter how stormy the seas may be or how many critics attempt to beat upon it with their pretentious words and theories. What a wonderful promise GOD gives: " Nevertheless the foundation of GOD standeth sure " !

It is also a great comfort to be reminded that " the LORD knoweth them that are HIS " 2nd.Timothy 2:19b and is concerned about the welfare of each of HIS children; for this very reason HE commands, " And, let every one that nameth the name of CHRIST depart from iniquity " 2nd.Timothy 2:19c. That is why we cannot join in fellowship with false teachers and disobedient brethren -- " evil communications corrupt good manners " 1st.Corinthians 15:33. Let us thank GOD for HIS sure foundation, rejoice in HIS identification with HIS own, and obey HIS WORD so that we might do HIS will and receive HIS blessing. Praise GOD, HIS foundation stands sure -- when we test every issue and make every decision based upon the perfect and unfailing WORD of GOD, we will never be confounded or dismayed. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

" A Song from the Heart "

Ephesians 5:18-20 " And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the SPIRIT; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD; giving thanks always for all things unto GOD and the FATHER in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST; "

Our songs, like our speech, reveal what is in the heart. JESUS spoke about this in Luke 6:45 when HE said, " For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. " Our text today speaks of " psalms and hymns and spiritual songs " and of " singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD " (v.19). Is there a song in your heart to the LORD right now ? Is it a song that comes from deep within - a song that cannot be suppressed by difficult circumstances but that is simply the result of a heart overflowing with love for the ONE WHO redeemed you by HIS precious blood ?

If our worship, our singing, our study of the WORD, and our service for CHRIST are motivated only by a sense of duty and obligation rather than love and thankfulness, do we think that we are pleasing our LORD WHO knows our hearts ? Our songs may be praised by the listener for their beauty and harmony, but if the heart of the singer is out of tune with the LORD, the result is entertainment rather than spiritual blessing. It glorifies man, not GOD; it may please the flesh and the world, but it cannot please GOD.

Our text reminds us of the importance of separating from " the unfruitful works of darkness " (v.11). So many of the world's songs are shameful (v.12) and represent the words of fools (v.15) and the music of drunkards (v.18). Believers who sincerely want to please GOD with singing that comes from the heart will pay careful attention to verse twenty of our text, for when we are occupied continually in giving thanks to GOD, the spiritual songs that please HIM will overflow our hearts and lips (Psalm 23:5). What a wonderful SAVIOR is JESUS our LORD (Isaiah 9:6), WHO is worthy of all our praise ! MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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Saturday, May 23, 2015

" The GOOD NEWS "

Romans 1:1-16 " Paul, a servant of JESUS CHRIST, called to be an apostle, separated unto the Gospel of GOD, (which HE had promised afore by HIS prophets in the Holy Scriptures,) Concerning HIS SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the SON of GOD with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By WHOM we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for HIS name: Among whom are ye also the called of JESUS CHRIST: To all that be in Rome, beloved of GOD, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from GOD our FATHER, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

First, I thank my GOD through JESUS CHRIST for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For GOD is my witness, WHOM I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of HIS SON, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of GOD to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST: for it is the power of GOD unto Salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. " Romans 1:1-16

The word gospel simply means " Good News. " However, this word implies that there is also bad news. The bad news is that all men are sinners (Romans 3:23). The horrendous nature of sin must not be understated, yet sadly it often is. But our purpose today is to look at the Good News ! What is this Good News ? It is that JESUS CHRIST the LORD died to pay the penalty of sin required of every single person: death.

Paul repeatedly emphasized " the Gospel " throughout the sixteen verses of our text (vv. 1, 9, 15-16). It is the only message that delivers sinners from the fate that each of us deserves - eternally paying the price for our own sins. Paul knew firsthand that the Gospel was the message that saved him and that it was entrusted to him to proclaim to all who would listen (vv. 14-16). The Gospel - that CHRIST the LORD, GOD's SON, would die and rise again - was prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures (vv. 2-5). The Greek term underlying the word declared in verse four also gives us the English word horizon, and it pictures GOD the FATHER spreading across the entire horizon the message that HIS SON died and rose again to save sinful human beings. It is as if GOD put this message on a huge banner and hung it in the air for anyone and everyone to see and understand. Thus, the resurrection of CHRIST is an indispensable element of the Gospel message (1st.Cor.15:3-4). HE is not on the cross nor in the grave - HE is risen !

Dear Believer, may you never tire of hearing and meditating upon the simple Gospel message. This glorious " Good News " ought to be ardently treasured all the days of our life, and, like Paul, we must proclaim this wonderful news to ALL who will listen. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie