" Redeemed by the Blood "

1st. Peter 1:1-21   " Peter, an apostle of JESUS CHRIST, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of GOD the FATHER, through sanctification of the SPIRIT, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of JESUS CHRIST: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.  Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, which according to HIS abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of GOD through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST:

WHOM having not seen, ye love; in WHOM, though now ye see HIM not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  Searching what, or what manner of time the SPIRIT of CHRIST which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of CHRIST, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the HOLY GHOST sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as HE which has called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written,  'Be ye Holy; for I AM Holy.'  And if ye call on the FATHER, WHO without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; BUT with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: WHO verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by HIM do believe in GOD, that raised HIM up from the dead, and gave HIM glory; that your faith and hope might be in GOD. "

     The Apostle Peter wrote his epistle to Christians - those saved through  "the blood of JESUS CHRIST"  (v.2).  He sought to encourage them to the trial of their faith, which was  "more precious than of gold that perisheth"  (v.7). He also exhorted them to live Holy lives motivated by their Holy GOD (v.16) and reminded them that they were redeemed  "with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot"  (vv.18-19). There is no Salvation or remission of sin without the shedding of blood (Heb.9:22).  In the Old Testament, lambs without any defect were offered on the altar in order to cover the sin of the people.  But when CHRIST came, announced by John the Baptist as  "the LAMB of GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world"  (John 1:29), the Old Testament sacrifices came to an end when HE laid down HIS life upon the cross and said,  "IT  IS  FINISHED" (John 19:30).  No one is redeemed by corruptible or perishable things, such as silver and gold or anything else this world has to offer.  Redemption is exclusively found in JESUS CHRIST through HIS shed blood.

     The blood of CHRIST is precious - HE poured it out upon the cross for you and me, as our substitute, so that we might be redeemed.  HIS blood was literal, NOT hypothetical, mythical, figurative, or allegorical.  JESUS, GOD in the flesh, was sinless.  HE was without blemish and without spot.  HE paid the ultimate and final price for our redemption.  To reject HIS sacrifice is to reject Salvation. Good works, baptism, charity, confirmation, repeated prayers, church attendance or membership, or any other perishing thing cannot purchase freedom and forgiveness from sin.  Redemption is solely by the blood of CHRIST ! PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Vital Salvation Truths "

John 5:24   " Verily, Verily, I say unto you, he that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM WHO sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. "

     When a verse begins with  "Verily, Verily,"  we must watch for a great packet of truth. twenty-five times this double  "Verily" occurs in the bible and, then, only in John's Gospel. It indicates the solemnity of the ONE WHO speaks and the certainty of that which is spoken, always introducing a truth of immense importance. Its meaning is simply this:  "Truly, Truly; without any possibility of controversy."  It is as though JESUS is saying,  "Pay attention to this ! What I AM about to say is important ! "

     What could be more important than the message unfolded in this verse ? "HE that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life... " These are vital Salvation truths - "heareth, believeth." Have you heard HIS WORD ?  GOD has spoken and is speaking today through the WORD of GOD. Many people hear with the outward ear, but they do not hear in the heart.  JESUS speaks of hearing in the sense of receiving into the heart. This is not mere listening; it is hearing with faith.  "MY sheep hear MY voice" (10:27). Clearly one needs to hear with faith and love, with a heart ready to do CHRIST's will; this is hearing that saves. Coupled with this hearing, however, is belief. HE is not speaking of a vague faith in the existence of GOD. What is required is belief on GOD as the ONE WHO sent JESUS CHRIST to save sinners - belief on GOD as the FATHER of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO planned and has provided redemption by the blood of HIS SON. In this sense, the FATHER is just as much the object of saving faith as the SON. GOD calls us to believe on CHRIST JESUS as SAVIOR with the same faith with which we believe in GOD as our FATHER to WHOM we are reconciled (Romans 5:10). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" 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.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" 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.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.com

" 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