" Our Peace Problem "

Isaiah 9:6-7   " For unto us a Child is born, unto us a SON is given: and the government shall be upon HIS shoulder: and HIS name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, The MIGHTY GOD, The EVERLASTING FATHER, The PRINCE of PEACE.  Of the increase of HIS government and peace there shall be no end, upon HIS kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

     The Naturalistic Worldview:  Because man is naturally good, he can generate world peace through international dialogue, global disarmament, and the equal distribution of wealth. World peace can be obtained through human effort.

     The Religious Worldview:  Mankind can create peace on earth through the establishment of GOD's kingdom. This "kingdom" will result from international political dialogue, disarmament, the unity of all religions, and meeting the physical needs of the poor and oppressed. JESUS CHRIST is an exemplary figure for mankind to follow. Mankind's efforts - not GOD HIMSELF - will eventually implement this world peace.

     The Biblical Worldview:  No worldwide peace will exist until JESUS comes to inaugurate HIS 1,000 - year reign upon the earth. Today's text prophesies of this glorious time when the "PRINCE of PEACE" (v.6) will rule and reign. Concerning this peace, "there shall be no end" (v.7). Of course, as much as possible, believers are to live peaceably among all men, but mankind will never implement worldwide peace. Only GOD will do so when HE returns to the earth in power and great glory with HIS saints to fulfill HIS covenant with Israel - "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this" (v.7).

     The  Answer:  JESUS CHRIST is the righteous JUDGE WHO one day will personally implement worldwide peace. HE will physically rule the world in perfect righteousness and justice. Yet even today, HE can bring peace to the heart of every man, woman, and child who believes in HIM (Romans 5:1). HE offers a peace that passes all understanding to those who trust in HIM and place their confidence in HIS absolute promises. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Our Sin Problem "

Romans 3:23   " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD; "

     The Naturalistic Worldview:  Because man is simply an organism in the long line of evolution (he is an advanced animal form), man does not answer to any Power higher than himself. As a result, good and evil are relative to the social situation in which he finds himself.

     The Religious Worldview:  Man is inherently good and must emulate the exemplary life of JESUS CHRIST (a good man - but not GOD) and follow HIS works and teachings in order to overcome "evil," defined as anything that can be harmful to another person.

     The Biblical Worldview:  Man is inherently sinful - he is a sinner by birth (his nature) and deed (his actions, Romans 5:6-12, 18-21). In order to possess a relationship with GOD, man must deal with this sin problem on GOD's terms, for HE is Holy and Righteous and cannot fellowship with darkness. He must trust JESUS CHRIST's substitutionary death and resurrection in order to become a new creation and be reconciled to GOD. Only then can man overcome evil through the indwelling strength of the HOLY SPIRIT.

     The  Answer:  The LORD JESUS CHRIST is the only way through which man can overcome this sin problem that separates him from GOD (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). JESUS declared HIMSELF to be the only means by which man can enjoy a relationship with GOD - a relationship that entails eternal life with the LORD and Salvation from an eternity in the Lake of Fire. Indeed, we all are born sinners,  "but GOD commendeth (demonstrated) HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us"  (Romans 5:8). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" My ROCK and My FORTRESS "

Psalm 71:1-8   " In THEE, O LORD, do I put my trust:  let me never be put to confusion.  Deliver me in THY righteousness, and cause me to escape:  incline THINE ear unto me, and save me.  Be THOU my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort:  THOU hast given commandment to save me; for THOU art my ROCK and my FORTRESS.  Deliver me, O my GOD, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For THOU art my hope, O LORD GOD:  THOU art my trust from my youth.  By THEE have I been holden up from the womb:  THOU art HE that took me out of my mother's bowels:  my praise shall be continually of THEE.  I am as a wonder unto many; but THOU art my strong refuge.  Let my mouth be filled with THY praise and with THY honor all the day. "

     " In THEE, O LORD, do I put my trust " (v.1); herein lies the foundation for every aspect - past, present, and future -  of our relationship with GOD. Saving faith establishes a bond with the ALMIGHTY that is inseparable and eternal. Once we have placed our trust in JESUS CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR, HE becomes much more to us than only the Sin-Bearer WHO has redeemed us from the penalty of sin. HE is now the ONE in WHOM we can have absolute confidence with respect to all things that pertain to this life as well as to the future certainty of life everlasting with HIM. The psalmist had this wholehearted assurance in the LORD, even from his youth (v.5)

     His "hope" (or confident expectation, v.5) regarding the good things promised in GOD's WORD provided the writer with absolute confidence that what GOD had spoken HE would also perform. Notice that it was the "commandment" (v.3), the WORD of GOD, that provided the understanding to which he anchored his faith. He, therefore, had the confidence that what he requested in prayer according to the WORD would, indeed, come to pass. When the enemy of the soul and the trials and dangers of life came upon him, he could pray with unwavering faith,  "Deliver me...and save me. Be THOU my strong habitation" (v.2-3). Praise was continually upon his lips for GOD's proven faithfulness (vv.6-8). Think of the many marvelous accounts of how David was delivered and blessed time and again as he walked in obedience to the WORD and lived with the eye of faith set upon his GOD. Thus, he could say firsthand, "THOU art my ROCK and my FORTRESS" (v.3) !  Does our walk with GOD echo this testimony ? " DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  With  Permission.   www.feasite.org

" You Can Be Saved ! "

Luke 19:1-11   " And JESUS entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans (tax collectors), and he was rich. And he sought to see JESUS WHO HE was; and could not for the press (crowd), because he was little of stature (short). And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see HIM: for HE was to pass that way. And when JESUS came to the place, HE looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,  ' Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.'  And he made haste, and came down, and received HIM joyfully.

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That HE was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the LORD; Behold, LORD, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And JESUS said unto him,  ' This day is Salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the SON of MAN is come to seek and to save that which was lost.'  And as they heard these things, HE called and spake a parable, because HE was nigh (close) to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of GOD should immediately appear.

     JESUS, having entered Jericho, was passing through it. Many people had gathered to be with HIM, but one man in the crowd particularly wanted to see WHO JESUS was. Yet because he was  "little of stature"  (v.3), he could not see through or above the crowd. So, he climbed into a sycamore tree in order to see JESUS. JESUS spoke to him and called him by his name:  "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house" (v.5). Now, this man was someone whom people hated. He was a despised tax collector hired by the Roman government to collect taxes from his fellow Jews. Even worse, he was "the chief among"  the tax collectors; and, as a result,  "he was rich" (v.2). He was basically rejected by his own people; his only  "friends" would have been others in the same profession. Nobody had anything to do with him. So, when JESUS invited HIMSELF to the house of this man, Zacchaeus  "made haste, and came down, and received HIM joyfully"  (v.6). The people, however, "murmured, saying, That HE was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner" (v.7).

     JESUS came to seek and save the lost  (v.10). The crowd should have said, "LORD, come also to my house," for they, too, were sinners - but they did not think they were. As a result, they lost out on the blessing of Salvation and fellowship with the LORD. Zacchaeus, however, repented of his sins, made restitution, and received Salvation  (v.9).  No one is  "too sinful"  for the LORD JESUS CHRIST to save.  Others may reject you, but not GOD.  Trust JESUS CHRIST today and experience HIS Salvation and forgiveness. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" WHO is Over All, GOD... "

Romans 9:5   " Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, WHO is over all, GOD blessed for ever. AMEN. "

     Is JESUS CHRIST truly GOD in human flesh ? Does it actually matter whether we believe that HE is or is not ? The simple and biblical answer to both questions is  "YES." In fact, if JESUS CHRIST is not GOD incarnate, then the punishment for our sins was paid by a completely inadequate individual. This would mean that we still owe the penalty for our sins and that we are condemned for eternity, and, thus, no one is redeemed nor ever can be. If CHRIST is not GOD in human flesh, then we are still dead in trespasses and sins. If HE was/is not GOD, then much of what HE said about HIMSELF was a lie. But the truth is, HE is  GOD, very GOD.  Everything that it means to be GOD, everything that makes the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT "GOD," is found in the person of the LORD JESUS CHRIST - in equal and eternal amount and extent. (Colossians 2:9).

     This truth should bring us, as believers, unspeakable joy and hope. It is a truth that resonates from within the heart and mind and shapes the external expressions of our conduct, our manner of life. Like the Trinity, this is a truth that we cannot possibly grasp. We have become accustomed to hearing the words,  "JESUS is GOD,"  to the point that the depth of this truth really does not sink into our minds as it should. The fact that JESUS claimed to be GOD was stunning to first century Jewish minds. Yet HIS claim was proven through the testimonies of the Scriptures and of GOD the FATHER, as well as by the many miracles that only GOD HIMSELF could do, including HIS bodily resurrection. This truth is no less spectacular today as well. That JESUS CHRIST is GOD remains an essential biblical truth that must be proclaimed to all who will listen.GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Not Ashamed 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 believeth;  to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. "

     The Gospel is no embarrassment to the Christian. The message of the Gospel is wonderful news:  Sinners can be saved if they trust in the person and finished work of JESUS CHRIST on the cross on their behalf and believe that HE arose from the dead. All their sins are eternally forgiven.  The biggest problem man faces in this world is the need to be reconciled to the CREATOR. Sin has completely severed the relationship HE desires HIS creatures to have with HIM. When we look around at so many unsaved family, friends, and acquaintances, how can our souls not be burdened to present the message to them - that JESUS came into the world to save them from sin.

     At the same time, we also realize that most to whom we present this wonderful Good News will reject and perhaps even mock us, ridiculing the very thing that would deliver them from their sin and the eternal judgment they face. Should such negative responses deter us ? Should we simply give up and move on to someone else ? At the very least, we must continue to pray for such souls. GOD is unwilling that they perish (2nd.Peter 3:9), and HIS followers should have the same desire. Why is it that we are sometimes so reticent to share the Gospel when, in fact, there is no shame in the reality that JESUS died for sinners and certainly none in the verity that HE conquered death when HE arose from the grave. That is the greatest moment in all of human history. Nothing surpasses it. So, why would the message of Christianity ever be shameful to us? Do not let the contempt of unbelievers dissuade your evangelistic efforts. For the world, the Gospel may be foolish, but for the Christian, it reveals GOD's sovereign love. GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Willingly Ignorant "

2nd. Peter 3:3-9   " Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying,  'Where is the promise of HIS coming ? for since the fathers fell asleep (died), all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the WORD of GOD the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same WORD are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The LORD is not slack (slow) concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. "

     We live in the period of history referred to in the Bible as  "the last days." Following the example of JESUS (Luke 17:26-27), Peter likened  "the last days" to the days of Noah's flood.  Prior to the flood, GOD had sent prophetic messages through Enoch declaring that the evil course of those wicked days was going to result in worldwide judgment.  Noah preached for 120 years, warning that prophesied destruction was soon to come.  But the preacher's words fell upon deaf ears.  The rains came, the fountains of the deep opened up, and  "the world that then was"  disappeared, with its inhabitants perishing under the water and debris-laden mud that covered the globe (v.6). Left behind is the testimony of flood-deposited sediment, sometimes thousands of feet in depth, bearing a fossil record of the destruction of the world that once was.

     In today's text, the apostle Peter warned that in the last days scoffers would arise and, through willful ignorance, deny the judgment of Noah's day and the soon coming judgment of GOD in  "the last days."  We must remember that "the LORD is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance"  (v.9).  HIS judgment is delayed for a time, but it will , indeed, come.  Those who lived in the days of Noah and ignored his warning have the excuse (though of no merit) that such destruction had never before occurred.  In our day such is not the case.  As men stand upon the sedimentary record and deny the flood that was and the soon coming day of judgment, they confirm the Scripture's WORD's that they are  "willingly" ignorant. JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: The Daily Bible Study Guide.

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