" 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.

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" 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.

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" 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.

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" Our SAVIOR and INTERCESSOR "

Hebrews 7:24-28   " But this MAN, because HE continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore HE is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by HIM, seeing HE ever liveth to make intercession for them.  For such an HIGH PRIEST became us, WHO is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; WHO needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's:  for this HE did once, when HE offered up HIMSELF.  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity;  but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the SON, WHO is consecrated for evermore. "

     The LORD JESUS CHRIST is our INTERCESSOR as well as our SAVIOR. Our text emphasizes CHRIST's "unchangeable priesthood" (v.24),  HIS perfect priesthood (vv.26-27), and HIS eternal priesthood (v.28).  Our perfect INTERCESSOR fully comprehends our human weaknesses, and because HE knows and cares and is all powerful, we are assured provision from the  "throne of grace" (4:15-16).  How wonderful it is to realize that SOMEONE does know and does care.  Others, at times, may empathize with us, but only JESUS CHRIST can bring to pass HIS perfect will in us. Others may express concern, but HIS love is unlimited, even when we are  "without strength" (Rom.5:6).

     Faithful believers sometimes may find themselves walking practically alone in this life.  In such cases, the flesh tends to think and act as though no one cares or prays for them.  The hymn  "Does JESUS Care ?"  raises that very question but also responds with the proper answer -  "OH, yes HE cares; I know HE cares"  - an answer echoed throughout the WORD of GOD. Furthermore, in these days of extreme pressure, we also need to be reminded of the intercessory ministry of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT  (Eph.4:30).  In our times of special discouragement, dilemma, or other need, let us remember that the HOLY SPIRIT  "maketh intercession for us ... according to the will of GOD," even when  "we know not what we should pray for as we ought"  (Rom.8:26-27). Therefore, the believer is never alone and never without the LORD's provision. No child of GOD can ever rightly say that no one cares or understands or can give help in time of need.  The LORD can, and does !  Our blessed SAVIOR, our INTERCESSOR, will never fail us. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" An Ultimate Truth "

Matthew 28:19   " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT): "

     One of the most significant fundamentals of the Christian faith is that there is one GOD WHO exists coequally and co-eternally in three distinct PERSONS: FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT. All three PERSONS are GOD - (the FATHER, John 6:27; CHRIST, Col.2:8-9; and the HOLY SPIRIT, Acts 5:3-4). The Old Testament focused on the truth that there is only one GOD, yet it contains repeated indicators suggesting the future revelation of the Trinity (Gen.1:1, 26; Deut.6:4; 2nd.Cor.13:14). The doctrine of the Triune GOD is not negotiable, and it cannot be denied if an individual wishes to saved. In other words, we must acknowledge the true and living GOD as HE really is.

     While the Trinity is not something that can be fully understood, it is one of the truths of Scripture that demands our unswerving affirmation. We stand in awe, expressing its wonder as something that we simply cannot fully grasp. Nothing in creation is analogous to the Trinity. Nevertheless, this is not a troubling or disquieting fact to a godly believer. In fact, it is actually reassuring to know that the GOD we serve is so great that HE is beyond comprehension. Even if we were to spend every waking moment learning something about our GOD, never in the time HE gives us could we fully grasp all the wonders of the three PERSONS of the GODhead. Even so, Christians today ought to study the PERSON of GOD as HE has revealed HIMSELF in HIS WORD;  this is an activity that we should endeavor to pursue as much as we possibly can. The attempt to know the LORD better with each passing day should be the goal of every child of GOD. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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" The Self - Righteous "

Titus 3:3-7   " For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  But after that the kindness and love of GOD our SAVIOR toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the HOLY GHOST;  which HE shed on us abundantly through JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR;  that being justified by HIS grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. "

     Dr. T.C. Horton wrote the following helpful words concerning those who are self-righteous:  "The  'self-righteous'  represent a large and growing class of people. In these days, the  'sense of sin'  is largely lost, and in its place has come a self-satisfaction fostered by much of the literature, preaching, and teaching of the present day. People are self-righteous because (1) They have false ideas of GOD. They do not understand or realize HIS Holiness. (2) They have false ideas of themselves. They do not know their own weakness or the subtlety of Satan. (3) They have false ideas of the WORD of GOD. They do not know or understand its teaching concerning the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Many of these people are living, outwardly, 'moral' lives.  Many are philanthropic and engaged in many forms of  'good works.'... They may be recognized by their use of certain phrases, such as  'I pay my debts,'  'I live an honest life.'  ' I never wronged anyone,'  'If I do my best, surely the LORD will not be hard on me,'  'I am a better person than many church members,' 'I have my own ideas on religion.'

     They must be shown that they are measuring themselves with man and not with GOD.  GOD has built one standard of measurement and that is - HIMSELF. Never allow one of these people to leave you without having given them a passage of Scripture, which the HOLY SPIRIT may fasten upon the heart and use to bring conviction. The SWORD of the SPIRIT is two-edged.  With those who feel that they are great sinners, we use the love - side. With those who are self - righteous, we must use the justice - side.  Prove to them that while GOD is loving,  HE is also Holy and Righteous. "  How relevant this is for today ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature:  A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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