" To the PRAISE of HIS Glory ! "

 

Ephesians 2:1-10 " And you hath HE quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But GOD, WHO is rich in mercy, for HIS great love wherewith HE loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved:)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS: that in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS. 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. For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

     What is GOD's purpose in offering a perfect salvation for the believing sinner, a redemption that is the product of HIS unfathomable grace from start to finish ? The LORD provided this perfect salvation so that the redeemed would shine forth as a trophy of HIS glory and grace, both now and throughout eternity (v.7 pictured below). If a Christian could justifiably claim that his salvation, even in the slightest degree, was due to his own good deeds or his own faithfulness, he would have reason to boast. But salvation is completely by grace, not by works -- the two are mutually exclusive.

     Eternal life is GOD's gift that HE gives to the believing individual who accepts the Gospel by faith alone. It is apart from any attempted merit or good works in order that "the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS" (v.7 pictured above) might be clearly seen. If our salvation were in any way dependent upon our works, then we could never have a perfect redemption. Salvation in its entire scope -- our deliverance from the penalty of sin, the reigning power of sin, and one day the very presence of sin -- is the result of GOD's grace that is ours by virtue of our identification with the finished work of JESUS CHRIST. The forgiven sinner who has been declared to be righteous "in CHRIST" has no room for boasting -- only praise and thanksgiving !

     We are HIS workmanship, created anew by the HOLY SPIRIT for the purpose of conforming to the image of the SON (v.10 pictured above). We are not saved by good works of any kind, but it is clearly GOD's will "that we should walk in them" once we are saved. GOD's grace provides the means and the strength to live day by day as a new creation in CHRIST. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" The Mighty Has Fallen ! "

 

Isaiah 14:12-23 "How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning ! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations ! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of GOD: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most HIGH. Yet thou shall be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the Earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners ?

All the Kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD. I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts."

     Today's text reveals one of the most staggering events in all of history. Think of this -- the wisest, most exquisite creature the LORD had made, the one who guarded the throne of the living GOD, fell into sin (Ezekiel 28:12-19). Consumed with pride, Lucifer succumbed to the temptation of believing that he could become something more than he was (vv.12-14 pictured above). Each of the five "I wills" in these verses indicates that he deemed himself to be superior to his CREATOR. Though a created being, his desire was to be in the dwelling of GOD ("Heaven"), to rule over the angelic realm ("stars of GOD"), to have messianic anointing in GOD's kingdom ("mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north"), to have glory that GOD alone possesses ("heights of the clouds"), and to take the very place of GOD HIMSELF ("be like the most HIGH").

     Sin brought down the most incredible being GOD had ever made. Thinking about this horrible event is both humbling and sobering. The mightiest, most beautiful and intelligent of all of GOD's angels took it upon himself to attempt to overthrow his CREATOR by rebelling against HIM. Lucifer sought to be free and independent from the LORD. He even went beyond that desire -- he wanted to replace GOD and planted this thought in Eve's mind when he deceived her in the garden (Genesis 3:5). Because our first parents succumbed to temptation, all of us, as their descendants, are sinners by birth and deed. Isaiah wrote, "All we like sheep have gone astray" (Isaiah 53:6 pictured above). A popular song from a previous generation sums up this sinful, wicked attitude; when contemplating his existence, the famous vocalist declared that he had lived his life "My Way !" GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Behave the Gospel ! "

 

Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world, A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven."

     A southern Preacher once said, "There are two parts to the Gospel. The first part is the believing it, and the second part the behaving it." "Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). How true are those WORDs ! We, most definitely, are called to be witnesses for CHRIST and to declare the Gospel message with our lips. JESUS told HIS disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). The Apostle John wrote in 1st.John 4:14, "And we have seen and do testify that the FATHER sent the SON to be the SAVIOR of the world." This word "testify" means "to be a witness, bear record," which involves using one's voice to present that witness. It is imperative for sinners to hear the proclamation of GOD's WORD, especially the message of salvation. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST, for he realized that it was "the power of GOD unto salvation" to those who believe, Jew or Gentile (Romans 1:16). The hearer must believe this Gospel message in order to enter into the blessing of the good news of salvation.

     But we dare not neglect what our lives say as they "preach" -- either upholding the message of truth or "speaking" in contradiction to everything we verbally express. JESUS instructed HIS followers to "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven" (v.16 pictured at the top of post). According to the Scriptures, we who seek to be witnesses for JESUS CHRIST, having believed the Gospel, are now to behave the Gospel. We are to "walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8 second picture from top of post) and "walk worthy of GOD" (1st.Thessalonians 2:12 pictured above). Our walk must support our message. JED

Your servant in CHRIST

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Pleasing to the Ears . . . But NOT Pleasing to GOD ! "

 

1st.Kings 22:1-18 "And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the King of Judah came down to the King of Israel. And the King of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is our's, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the King of Syria ? And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth - Gilead ? And Jehoshaphat said to the King of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. And Jehoshaphat said unto the King of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the WORD of the LORD today. Then the King of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear ? And they said, Go up: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the King. And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of HIM ? And the King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the King say so. Then the King of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.

And the King of Israel and Jehoshaphat the King of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-Gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the King's hand. And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the King with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak. So he came to the King, And the King said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall we forbear ? And he answered him, Go, and prosper for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the King. And the King said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD ? And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil ?"

     In our text, Jehoshaphat, the godly King of Judah, entered into a compromising alliance with Ahab, King of Israel. Ahab had a plan to retake Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians and sought Jehoshaphat's help. The King of Judah agreed but requested that Ahab inquire of his "prophets" whether or not this strategy was actually GOD's will. Ahab called his four hundred prophets together, but not one among them could legitimately be considered a faithful prophet who declared only what the LORD wanted him to say. This wicked King had assembled around him false, lying prophets who told him only what he wanted to hear. This sorry state of affairs is much like our own day. Relatively few truly want to hear what the LORD has to say on any subject.

     Perhaps we, like King Ahab, shun those who try to exhort us when we go astray. We might know what is right -- just as Ahab knew that he should be following the counsel of the LORD -- but we, too, can turn a deaf ear to GOD's instruction and instead surround ourselves with those who encourage us in our disobedience -- we develop a case of "itching ears" (2nd.Timothy 4:1-4). When King Jehoshaphat asked Ahab if a true prophet of the LORD was available, Ahab affirmed, "There is yet one man . . . but I hate him; for he doth not prophecy good concerning me, but evil" (v.8). Did Ahab deserve to have anything good prophesied to him ? Absolutely not ! He was committing much iniquity and justifying his nefarious actions by listening to false prophets who supported his wicked ways. We must seek the fellowship of those who faithfully give the WORD of GOD and walk in IT's light, for the ungodly will only lead us away from the LORD.

     Micaiah was in a difficult position. He was the only genuine prophet of the LORD who could be found in Israel. He was despised, and even hated, because he alone spoke what the LORD wanted him to say rather than what King Ahab desired to hear. Micaiah rarely had a positive message, even though the four hundred other prophets could come up with many affirmative things to say. What a brave, stalwart testimony this prophet had in standing true to his GOD and not yielding to compromise !

     Even Ahab's personal messenger pressured Micaiah to speak a positive message that would be in accordance with the words of the other prophets (v.13), but Micaiah knew that to do so would not be pleasing to GOD. he resolutely affirmed, "As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak" (v.14). Micaiah determined to tell Ahab exactly what GOD had revealed to him -- nothing more, nothing less. Upon hearing Micaiah's faithful message, King Ahab flew into a rage and threw him in prison. How lonely Micaiah must have been ! The King and all the ungodly prophets rejected and detested him simply because he purposed to please the LORD above all else, and that could only come to pass if he obeyed GOD rather than placating people.

     Are we like Micaiah, who knew what was right and purposed to do that which was pleasing to his GOD, no matter the cost ? Or are we more like Ahab, who also knew what was right but ignored GOD's message and gathered around himself those who would make him feel comfortable in his willful disregard for the truth ? How we respond to GOD's revealed will indicates whose will is important to us: ours or HIS. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" How Hot are We ? "

Colossians 3:15-25 "And let the peace of GOD rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the WORD of CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD and the FATHER by HIM. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the LORD. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the LORD. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing GOD: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men; knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD CHRIST. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

     Believers are to serve the LORD with enthusiasm, eagerness, excitement, passion, fervency, wholeheartedness, exuberance, and zeal. Yet how often do we find our service to be lukewarm, complacent, lackadaisical, sluggish, halfhearted, and spiritless ? The command is clear: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men" (v.23). "Heartily" literally means "from the soul." We should put our whole soul into it ! Each new day of serving the LORD should be an exciting adventure as we learn what GOD has in store for us. We are to be "fervent in spirit; serving the LORD" (Romans 12:11 pictured above). The word "fervent" comes from a verb meaning "to boil, seethe." Spiritually, we should be on fire for the LORD, fired up, boiling, zealous, glowing ! GOD wants us to be hot, to have a godly enthusiasm and excitement for the things of the LORD. As the hymn says: "May each soul be rekindled with fire from above !"

     Apollos was a great example of such a person: "mighty in Scriptures" and "fervent in the spirit" (Acts 18:24-25). Epaphras had an exuberant prayer life: "always laboring fervently . . . in prayers" (Colossians 4:12 pictured above). How many of us would have to admit to an ineffective prayer life due to laziness and neglect ? The household of Stephanas "addicted themselves to the ministry (service) of the saints" (1st.Corinthians 16:15) -- what a wonderful habit ! "For the love of CHRIST constraineth us . . . HE died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto HIM which died for them, and rose again" (2nd.Corinthians 5:14-15). How can we not but have a godly and zealous enthusiasm to serve the ONE WHO died for us and rose again from the grave ? GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

 

" Our Eyes are Upon THEE ! "

 

2nd.Chronicles 20:5-13 "And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, O LORD GOD of our fathers, art not THOU GOD In Heaven ? and rulest not THOU over all the kingdoms of the heathen ? and in THINE hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand THEE ? Art not THOU our GOD, WHO didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before THY people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham THY friend forever ? And they dwelt therein, and have built THEE a sanctuary therein for THY name, saying, if, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in THY presence, (for THY name is in this house,) and cry unto THEE in our affliction, then THOU wilt hear and help.

And now behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom THOU wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of THY possession, which THOU hast given us to inherit. O our GOD, wilt THOU not judge them ? for we have not might against this great company that cometh against us: neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon THEE. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children."

     "Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon THEE" -- these words of King Jehoshaphat in verse twelve came at a time of great crisis for himself as well as the people of Judah. Threatened by a coalition of enemies that had the power and numbers to destroy them, they truly did not know what to do. No escape was in sight. Yet even under these seemingly impossible circumstances, Jehoshaphat and the people did the right thing: They looked to the LORD. Rather than despairing, they went to the LORD in prayer, claiming HIS promises and resting in HIS provision (vv.5-9). They truly believed that their GOD would "hear and help" (v.9 pictured above).

     The perilous times in which we live (see pictured above) so often leave faithful believers today in a situation similar to that of our text. The need for wisdom, guidance, and strength is quite evident ! The enemies seem so strong and our own resources so small. The Israelites were facing dire circumstances. They had no might and were terribly outnumbered, and they were at a loss for any possible solutions, humanly speaking. But they took the correct course of action -- they looked to the LORD GOD, and HIS divine answer came.

     We in this age must learn to keep our eyes continually upon the LORD just as GOD's people under King Jehoshaphat did in their time of need. HE alone can give us victory over every enemy, even when "we have no might" (v.12 pictured at top of post). HE knows the future, and HIS will is perfect. We can trust HIS promises and have the peace that HE will lead us (Proverbs 3:5-6 pictured above) even though we may not know exactly what we are to do right now. Let us keep our eyes upon the LORD. HE will never fail us nor forsake us. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" JESUS Saves ! "

Perhaps you have seen these words on a billboard or on a banner in a stadium.

JESUS SAVES

is not just a phrase made up

by some religious fanatic.

They come from the Bible. 

The words save, saved, SAVIOR, and salvation are

found hundreds of times in 

GOD's WORD.

JESUS is the SAVIOR, the ONE WHO saves.

"And she shall bring forth a SON, and thou shalt call HIS name JESUS: for HE shall save HIS people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:21)

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, which is CHRIST the LORD."  (Luke 2:11)

JESUS came to save lost sinners.

"For the SON of MAN is come to seek and to save that which was lost.  (Luke 19:10)

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners."  (1st.Timothy 1:15)

JESUS is the only ONE WHO can save.

"Be it known unto you all . . . that by the name of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth, WHOM ye crucified, WHOM GOD raised from the dead, even by HIM doth this man stands here before you whole . . . Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12)

"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 15:1-4)

JESUS give us the faith we need to be saved.

"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)

JESUS saves those who believe in HIM by faith.

"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. For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through HIM might be saved. He that believes on HIM is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD."  (John 3:16-18)

JESUS saves anyone who asks HIM.

". . . believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."  (Acts 16:31)

". . . whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved."  (Acts 2:21)

"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)

JESUS saves now and forever.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS mercy HE saved us . . . That being justified by HIS grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  (Titus 3:5,7)

JESUS wants you to be saved today.

". . . BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation."  (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b)

". . . There is no GOD else beside ME; a just GOD and a SAVIOR; there is none beside ME. Look unto ME, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I AM GOD, and there is none else."  (Isaiah 45:21,22)

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

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again 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.

"Wherefore HE is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by HIM, seeing HE ever lives to make intercession for them."  (Hebrews 7:25)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie