" After You Have Suffered Awhile . . . "

 

1st.Peter 5:10-11  "But the GOD of all grace, WHO hath called us unto HIS eternal glory by CHRIST JESUS, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To HIM be glory and dominion forever and ever. AMEN."

     In these days of immense instability, it is wonderful to be reminded that the GOD of all grace WHO has called us unto HIS future, eternal glory (v.10) has also provided all that we need in the present in order to calm our soul and settle our heart amid the raging storms of life. The LORD does not want HIS children to be blown about by "every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14 pictured above), and we will not be spiritually unstable if we walk in HIM (Colossians 2:6-7). HE does not want us to be filled with fear either, and we will not be afraid if we are filled with HIS love (1st.John 4:18) and truly surrendered to HIS perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). Believers are stablished as they study GOD's WORD, comparing Scripture with Scripture and rejoicing in the sure foundation that is ours through JESUS CHRIST, the Living WORD (1st.Corinthians3:11), and the Bible, the written WORD (Ephesians 2:20;2nd.Peter 1:19). We are strengthened in the "inner man" through the ministry of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 3:16 pictured below), and we are settled (at rest within) as we exercise faith in the "great and precious promises" GOD has given us in HIS WORD (2nd.Peter 1:3-4).

     However, we also must recognize another way in which GOD brings us to maturity in the Christian walk: Suffering adversity causes us to rest in GOD's sustaining grace. Stablished, strengthened, settled believers are a great asset to any family, any church, or any country, but they are in short supply today because too many are feeding on wind (Hosea 12:1 pictured below) rather then enjoying the rich spiritual feast GOD has provided for all of HIS children through the holy, eternal, infallible, inspired, and totally sufficient WORD. Do not miss the LORD's best by eating the wrong food at the wrong table.

     We briefly mentioned above that GOD uses suffering and adversity in order to bring the believer to the place of spiritual maturity. Our heavenly FATHER often allows us to endure difficulties to refine our faith and build us up. Many within Christendom erroneously teach that all suffering is either the result of satanic oppression or sin in the Christian's life. Although it is true that Satan does cause much misery and that the LORD does sometimes use painful situations in order to correct the wayward believer, a study of the Bible is essential if one is to avoid the confusion and doubt propagated today particularly through the fallacies of the charismatic movement.

     GOD has various reasons for permitting suffering or adversity. The Apostle Paul learned an important lesson when the LORD did not remove his "thorn in the flesh," and this led him thereafter to thank GOD for that trial (2nd.Corinthians 12:7-10 pictured above). Today's text, while not dealing with the subject of suffering as a major theme, does refer to the sufferings of CHRIST (1st.Peter 5:1) as well as the believer's suffering during the period of time between the new birth and the future glory (vv.10-11). The Scriptures clearly teach that the saint's suffering for CHRIST precedes reigning with HIM (2nd.Timothy 2:12 pictured below). When we are hard-pressed to find a reason for our afflictions, we must look to the WORD of GOD. We will then discover that our situation is not unique -- the LORD has been training HIS own in this way since the beginning (1st.Peter 4:12-19). As we walk by faith and keep GOD's ways and our own future glory in mind, present distress will become bearable, and it will mature us into the kind of people GOD would have us to be (2nd.Corinthians 4:16-18). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" The Roaring Lion Wants to Devour You ! "

 

1st.Peter 5:8-9  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

     The LORD commands HIS children to "be sober, be vigilant. . ." Why must we be on guard ? It is because we have a dangerous opponent: "your adversary the Devil" (v.8). He is an extremely powerful enemy and is on the job constantly, "seeking whom he may devour." Today's text describes him as a "roaring lion," one who wants to intimidate us in every way possible. In addition, 2nd.Corinthians 11:13-15 pictured above) warns us that Satan transforms himself "into an angel of light," enlisting the aid of his false "ministers of righteousness" in order to hinder GOD's work. Make no mistake -- the Devil is seeking to ruin us in every way possible, and he desires to devour the unsuspecting ! Therefore, it is essential to know how to be victorious over this formidable foe.

     Sadly, most believers today are not attentive and watchful, nor are they resisting Satan by remaining "steadfast in the faith" as GOD commands (v.9). To be "sober" and "vigilant" (v.8a) simply means to be spiritually awake and on guard "against the wiles of the Devil" (Ephesians 6:11 pictured above), but too many believers are asleep and have been deceived into believing that being cautious and circumspect is "unloving" and "judgmental." When it comes to resisting the Devil by openly exposing and opposing his many schemes that are promoted by the apostate and compromising religious leaders of our day, the majority of believers reject any such warning or corrected course of action, having been lulled to sleep by a growing spirit of unscriptural pacifism. It is neither unloving nor unkind for Christians to be on guard against and to strenuously resist every false way. GOD requires such peremptory action for our good and HIS glory (vv.9-11). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" What the CREATOR Means to Me Personally "

 

Psalm 95:1-11  "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the ROCK of our salvation. Let us come before HIS presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto HIM with psalms. For the LORD is a great GOD, and a great KING above all gods. In HIS hand are the deep places of the Earth: the strength of the hills is HIS also. The sea is HIS, and  HE made it: and HIS hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our MAKER (CREATOR). For HE is our GOD; and we are the people of HIS pasture, and the sheep of HIS hand. To day if ye will hear HIS voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation (rebellion), and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted ME, proved ME, and saw MY work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known MY ways: unto whom I swore in MY wrath that they should not enter into MY rest."

1.) Nothing is too hard for the CREATOR.  "Ah LORD GOD ! Behold, THOU hast made the Heaven and the Earth by THY great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for THEE" (Jeremiah 32:17). The GOD WHO did the greater can certainly do the lesser ! The fact that HE could create the heavens and the Earth proves that no problem or difficulty is too hard for GOD to handle.

2.) The CREATOR is my HELPER.  "My help cometh from the LORD, which made Heaven and Earth" (Psalm 121:2). "Our help is in the name of the LORD, WHO made Heaven and Earth" (Psalm 124:8). How wonderful it is to think that the Almighty CREATOR is my personal HELPER amid my daily challenges !

3.)  ALL people are on equal footing before the CREATOR.  "The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the MAKER of them all" (Proverbs 22:2). In these days of much divisiveness over race and social status, it is helpful to remember that every human is a special creation of GOD put on this planet for HIS pleasure and will (Revelation 4:11).

4. The CREATOR determined my gender.  "HE which made them at the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4), and, in doing so, the CREATOR did not make a mistake !

5.  When I suffer for CHRIST, I can commit the keeping of my soul to my faithful CREATOR. "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of GOD commit the keeping of their souls to HIM in well doing, as unto a faithful CREATOR." (1st.Peter 4:19).

6.  May I never forget my CREATOR. "And forgettest the LORD thy MAKER, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the Earth. . . ?" (Isaiah 51:13). This was the great sin described in Romans 1 of worshiping and serving the creature instead of the CREATOR (Romans 1:25 pictured above). How I need to remember my CREATOR whether I am young or old (Ecclesiastes 12:1 pictured above) ! The CREATOR demands and deserves my worship (Psalm 95:6 pictured at top of post).GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used with permission.    www.featoday.org

" The Grace That Saves "

 

     You need salvation because of your sin. "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). You are not only a sinner by birth through Adam, but also by your choice. ". . .There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after GOD. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10-12). "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23).

     As a sinner, you are without GOD and without hope. Sin brings death and eternal separation from GOD. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." (Romans 6:23a)  "And Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:14-15). JESUS CHRIST told the story of a rich man who was cast into Hell after he died. This rich man is still in Hell this very moment, over two thousand years after JESUS spoke of him. In ten years, this man will still be in Hell. A thousand years from now, he will still be in the burning pit of unquenchable fire. He is damned for all eternity. As a sinner, you will share the same fate, unless you accept GOD's free gift of grace through JESUS CHRIST.

     The Bible shows how simple it is to escape the eternal fire of Hell. "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) JESUS CHRIST, GOD's only SON, came ". . .to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10). Sin has a price and GOD must punish sin. Because you have sinned against HIM, you must bear your punishment or accept CHRIST's substitutionary death on the cross of Calvary. "WHO HIS OWN SELF bare our sins in HIS OWN body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. . ." (1st.Peter 2:24). "But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5). Please look at these verses again. The Bible states that JESUS was wounded for your transgressions and bruised for your iniquities.

     "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a, 3-4)

     JESUS CHRIST, the perfect SON of GOD, was the only MAN who ever lived a sinless life. Out of infinite love and pity for you, JESUS became your substitute and bore your judgment of sin. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, WHO knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM." (2nd.Corinthians 5:21). JESUS wants to save you, even more than you desire. HE invites you to come to HIM. "Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). Please come to CHRIST and trust HIM to save you. Why would you reject your only hope ? "He that believeth on HIM is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD." (John 3:18).

     JESUS loves you and died to save you from your sins. Salvation is only through JESUS CHRIST, not through your church membership, lodge membership, good works, water baptism, being born into a Christian family, or keeping the Golden Rule. Every lost sinner is going to a Devil's Hell, but GOD offers you the free gift of Salvation through the precious blood of CHRIST. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible states that salvation is not something earned, but it is a free gift. A gift is simply given (by GOD) and accepted (by you). "But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name:" (John 1:12). Salvation is a free gift from GOD, and if you will acknowledge that you are a sinner, believe in your heart that JESUS CHRIST died and rose again for your sins, and receive HIM as your personal SAVIOR, you can be saved at this very moment. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS , and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13).

     If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance (turning to GOD from your sin) and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose gain for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     JESUS is knocking at the door of your heart. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear MY voice, and open the door, I will come in to him. . ." (Revelation 3:20). Will you let HIM in ? JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24).

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

"Power Over Prophetic Events"

 

Daniel 9:1-27 "In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made King over the realm of the Chaldeans; in the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the WORD of the LORD came to Jeremiah the Prophet, that HE would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the LORD GOD, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: and I prayed unto the LORD my GOD, and made my confession, and said, O LORD, the great and dreadful GOD, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love HIM, and to them that keep HIS commandments; we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from THY precepts and from THY judgments: neither have we hearkened unto THY servants the prophets, which spoke in THY name to our Kings, our Princes, and our Fathers, and to all the people of the land. O LORD, righteousness belongs unto THEE, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither THOU has driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against THEE. O LORD, to us belongs confusion of face, to our Kings, to our Princes, and to our Fathers, because we have sinned against THEE. To the LORD our GOD belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against HIM;

Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our GOD, to walk in HIS laws, which HE set before us by HIS servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have transgressed THY law, even by departing, that they might not obey THY voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of GOD, because we have sinned against HIM. And HE hath confirmed HIS WORDs, which HE spake against us, and against our Judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole Heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our GOD, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand THY truth. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our GOD is righteous in all HIS works which HE does: for we obeyed not HIS voice. And now, O LORD our GOD, that hast brought THY people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten THEE renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly. O LORD, according to all THY righteousness, I beseech THEE, let THINE anger and THY fury be turned away from THY city Jerusalem, THY holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and THY people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our GOD, hear the prayer of THY servant, and his supplications, and cause THY face to shine upon THY sanctuary that is desolate, for the LORD's sake. O my GOD, incline THINE ear, and hear; open THINE eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by THY name: for we do not present our supplications before THEE for our righteounesses, but for THY great mercies.

O LORD, hear; O LORD forgive; O LORD, hearken and do; defer not, for THINE own sake, O my GOD: for THY city and THY people are called by THY name. And while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgressions, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most HOLY. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the MESSIAH the PRINCE shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall MESSIAH be cut off, but not for HIMSELF: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

     This ninth chapter of Daniel contains a beautiful, heartfelt prayer of intercession by the prophet on behalf of the nation of Israel. Carefully read this invocation and notice the discernment and sincerity of the godly man. Yet this text also reveals, once again, the LORD's sovereign power over all the affairs of men. We discover from Daniel's prayer that GOD had previously pronounced both Israel's captivity and her release before these events happened (vv. 2, 11-12). Likewise, the LORD revealed to Daniel what would come to pass approximately 570 years later (the death of JESUS CHRIST, vv. 25-26a) as well as that which is still to come to pass yet future (vv.26b-27). The GOD WHOM we worship is the omniscient CREATOR WHO knows all things -- from beginning to end. Everything that the LORD has declared will certainly come to pass !

     Today, the majority of people refuse to believe that GOD exercises complete power over the future. Either they reject the testimony revealed in HIS WORD as "fable" or "myth," or they presume that GOD has "changed HIS mind" and nullified the promises HE recorded in HIS WORD. The root cause of both conclusions is simple unbelief. "Where is the promise of HIS coming ?" they cry (2nd.Peter 3:4 pictured above). What is the answer ? HIS promise is still found in HIS Book ! Everything GOD has declared will  transpire. Our LORD has a purpose and plan for all mankind, and HE will do that which HE pleases in HIS time. Do not be deceived by "vain talkers and deceivers" (Titus 1:10 pictured above) who desire to shipwreck the faith of some. Rather, stand fast in GOD's WORD and be sound in the faith, for in so doing, you will "not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming" (1st.John 2:28 see pictured below). MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with permission.   www.featoday.org

" The Age of the Earth "

 

Luke 11:43-52  "Woe unto you, Pharisees ! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of GOD: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees ! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greeting in the markets. Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. Then answered one of the Lawyers, and said unto HIM, MASTER, thus saying THOU reproached us also. And HE said, Woe unto you also, ye Lawyers ! for ye laden men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you ! for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. Therefore also said the wisdom of GOD, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, Lawyers ! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered."

     We are told that the Earth is 4.5 billion years old and that man did not arrive on the scene until about 300,000 years ago. According to this evolutionary timescale, man has been on this Earth for only a very short time. If this evolutionary age of the Earth were represented by a year, humans would have been living on it for only the final thirty-five minutes. If the supposed age of the Earth were represented by a road trip from New York to Los Angeles (about 2,800 miles), man would not arrive on the scene until the traveler is less than a thousand feet from his destination ! And yet JESUS CHRIST, the infallible, all-wise SON of GOD, told us very clearly that man was created at the beginning of Earth's history: "Have ye not read, that HE which made them at the beginning made them male and female?" (Matthew 19:4). This harmonizes with the Genesis account, which teaches that the Earth was made on day one of creation and man was made only five days later (Genesis 1). The LORD JESUS further established this fact in today's text: "That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias" (vv.50-51a). In other words, soon after the world was founded, Abel was murdered, not thousands or millions of years later. If we are truly believers, should we not believe the Genesis record ? As believers in CHRIST, should we not believe what our LORD has said about the length of time men have been on this planet ? May we not be fooled by opposing arguments of what is falsely called science (1st.Timothy 6:20). GOD will never deceive HIS people. HIS WORD is truth (John 17:17 pictured above). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Two Kisses "

 

Psalm 85:4-13  "Turn us, O GOD of our salvation, and cause THINE anger toward us to cease. Wilt THOU be angry with us forever ? wilt THOU draw out THINE anger to all generations ? Wilt THOU not revive us again: that THY people may rejoice in THEE ? Show us THY mercy, O LORD, and grant us THY salvation. I will hear what GOD the LORD will speak: for HE will speak peace unto HIS people, and to HIS saints: but let them not turn again in folly. Surely HIS salvation is nigh them that fear HIM; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from Heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before HIM; and shall set us in the way of HIS steps."

     The Bible speaks of two kisses that relate to our LORD's substitutionary death at Calvary:

1.) The Terrible Kiss of Betrayal. Judas, the apostate traitor, made an arrangement with the LORD's enemies that he would kiss the ONE WHOM they should take into custody (Matthew 26:48 pictured above). Judas fulfilled his pledge and identified the LORD JESUS with this kiss of treachery (Matthew 26:49 pictured above). A kiss should be a sign of affection, friendship, and oneness. It would have been more consistent with his true character if Judas had slapped the LORD with disdain. Amazingly, after Judas had kissed HIM, JESUS addressed him as "Friend" (Matthew 26:50). JESUS could have called him "traitor" or "villain" or "child of the Devil," and it would have been true, but the LORD returned good for evil, showing love to HIS enemy.

2.) The Wonderful Kiss of Justification. "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (v.10). At the cross, the greatest kiss in the history of mankind took place. Mercy and truth will not meet in a court of justice. A righteous court cares only for the truth, for the real facts of the case. If the facts show a person to be guilty, then mercy cannot be shown, for justice demands that the criminal be prosecuted. At Calvary, mercy and truth came together because righteousness was upheld by the death of GOD's SON. The penalty was paid; the demands of justice were met; the holiness of GOD was maintained. GOD could remain just (righteous) and at the same time justify the ungodly without compromising HIS character (Romans 3:26; 4:5 both pictured above). Truth was upheld, the Law was enforced, the penalty was fully paid, and righteousness and peace kissed. How amazing ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission   www.featoday.org