" Strength Against the Enemy "

Isaiah 59:16-19   " And HE saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore HIS arm brought Salvation unto HIM; and HIS righteousness, it sustained HIM. And HE put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of Salvation upon HIS head; and HE put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly HE will repay, fury to HIS adversaries, recompense to HIS enemies; to the islands HE will repay recompense. So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and HIS glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the SPIRIT of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. "

     Spiritual warfare is being waged against the saint with great intensity. Satan is leading an attack against GOD's people, and every believer must realize that having the LORD's strength is absolutely essential (Ephesians 6:10). We are wrestling  "against spiritual wickedness in high places,"  and the only way to win that spiritual struggle is through prayer, with the WORD, and by the LORD (Eph. 6:11-18). Our text reminds us that when the enemy comes in  "like a flood, the SPIRIT of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" (v.19). It is also good to remember that  "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal" - not of the flesh - but are  "mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strongholds" (2nd.Cor.10:4). Because of this glorious fact, every obedient believer can be sure of victory (1st.Cor.15:57; 2nd.Cor.2:14). While we cannot stand against, or even repel, the enemy in our own strength, by the LORD's strength and with the weapons that HE provides, we can boldly move forward to the battle without fear.

     We must realize, however, that even a fully equipped soldier cannot prevail in any battle if his attitude is one of passivity or carelessness. Sadly many believers today, rather than resisting the devil (1st.Peter 5:9), have fallen into the trap of seeking neutrality in spiritual conflicts and refusing to  "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). Such disobedience to the Bible's plain teachings presents the enemy of our souls an undeserved advantage. We must always  "hold the fort"  in GOD's strength and resist the devil, our powerful and deceptive enemy. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Not With Wisdom of Words "

1st. Corinthians 1:17-2:8   " For CHRIST sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of CHRIST should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of GOD. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise ? Where is the scribe ? Where is the disputer of this world ? Hath not GOD made foolish the wisdom of this world ? For after that in the wisdom of GOD the world by wisdom knew not GOD, it please GOD by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks (Gentiles) seek after wisdom: But we preach CHRIST crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, CHRIST the power of GOD, and the wisdom of GOD. Because the foolishness of GOD is wiser than men; and the weakness of GOD is stronger than men. For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But GOD hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and GOD hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath GOD chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in HIS presence. But of HIM are ye in CHRIST JESUS WHO of GOD is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, 'He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD.'

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of GOD. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save JESUS CHRIST, and HIM crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the SPIRIT and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of GOD. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of GOD in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which GOD ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory. "

     Corinth was a city of great wealth and wickedness. The church at Corinth was spiritually in need of help, so messengers from the local body brought Paul a report and a letter containing inquiries about which they desired instruction. As the Apostle responded to their need for help, beginning with their divisive spirit, he declared,  "For CHRIST sent me ... to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words" (v.17). With the phrase  "not with wisdom of words,"  Paul got to the root of the sectarian difficulty. Remember, these Corinthians were Grecians, and the Greeks exalted human wisdom. Division arose in the Corinthian church as they gathered around their preferred teachers and philosophized together - this is what led the Apostle to proclaim,  "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness" (v.18).

     Paul opposed the idea that the Gospel is mere  "human wisdom," and he showed the distinction between the two - First, by declaring the mystery of the cross (v.18). The preaching of the cross pinpoints the lost condition of man and makes known the necessity of sacrificial atonement by the SON of GOD. Second, he demonstrated this truth by listing those who generally compose the church (v.26); not many people of wise, mighty. or noble character are found therein because, in their exalted estimation of themselves, they are unwilling to submit to the righteousness of GOD by faith. Third, Paul concluded the argument with his own example (2:1-2) - the Apostle himself did not come to the Corinthians with excellence of speech and wisdom; rather, he came proclaiming  "JESUS CHRIST, and HIM crucified" - the only preaching that matters ! JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Assurance of Salvation "

Ephesians 2:8-9   " 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. "

     The assurance of Salvation comes through the written WORD of GOD, received in faith as the very WORD of HIM WHO "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2). Surely, passages from GOD's WORD should be sufficient to bring the assurance of Salvation to the most trembling sinner. Three particular words from GOD to believing sinners ought to ring true and give confidence to all whose faith is in JESUS CHRIST alone for Salvation.

     We begin with the word are - a present fact to be enjoyed here and now. Today's text declares, "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (v.8). John said, "I write unto you ... because your sins are forgiven you" (1st.John 2:12) and added, "Beloved, now are we the sons of GOD" (1st.John 3:2). Paul said, "And by [JESUS] all that believe are justified from all things" (Acts 13:39) and told the Galatians, "For ye are all the children of GOD by faith in CHRIST JESUS" (Galatians 3:26). 

The second word is hath - a present possession. Again, the WORD speaks for itself, "And this is the record, that GOD hath given to us eternal life... He that hath the SON hath life" (1st.John 5:11-12). JESUS said, "He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life" (John 3:36) and added, "He that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life" (John 5:24). 

The final word is know - to have assurance now. John wrote, "These things have I written ... that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1st.John 5:13). "We know that we have passed from death unto life" (1st.John 3:14). Paul penned, "For I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that HE is able to keep..." (2nd.Timothy 1:12). On the infallible basis of GOD Holy WORD, the believer's assurance of his Salvation is absolutely certain. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Existence of Fools "

Psalm 14:1-7   " The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no GOD.' They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek GOD. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge ? who eat up MY people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. There were they in great fear: for GOD is in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. OH that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Zion ! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of HIS people. Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. "

     One of the surprising realities about Scripture is that it is often blunt when it refers to unbelievers. In verse one of today's text, we find that the individual who claims GOD does not exist is a  "fool."  Disbelief in GOD's existence is something that is internal - a person  "[says] in his heart, There is no GOD" (v.1). Such language is certainly not endearing nor accommodating to the unbelieving mind. In fact, the intelligentsia of our day fully rejects this bold assessment of the unbeliever.

     The  "fools"  who reject GOD have been around nearly since the beginning of time. This disbelief in GOD is not merely a matter of claiming that HE does not actually exist but that HE does not exist in the way HE has revealed HIMSELF in HIS WORD. For example, certainly Cain was a fool for the way he interacted with GOD in Genesis 4. He obviously believed in the  "existence" of GOD, yet his behavior was an attack on the very person of GOD and the veracity of HIS WORD, which HE had previously revealed to Cain. He had been warned that his attitude toward his brother had dire consequences if allowed to continue. Cain was clearly a  "fool"  for rejecting the revelation of GOD.

     Probably no bigger fool in the Old Testament existed than Pharaoh. The Book of Exodus records that he ordered his troops into the dried bed of the Red Sea, only to witness the entire army's demise when the waters collapsed on them, utterly destroying the chariots, soldiers, and horses. We must be aware that such folly continues into the present time, for the  "fools"  believe in their hearts that  "there is no GOD" (v.1). However, one day all will, without any doubt, know that  "[GOD] is" (Hebrews 11:6). GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Power of GOD's WORD "

Isaiah 55:11   " So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of MY mouth: IT shall not return unto ME void, but IT shall accomplish that which I please, and IT shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent IT. "

     The Bible is the WORD of GOD. So different than the words of men, IT has the power to fully accomplish all that has been declared. The power of GOD's WORD is seen in creation. GOD spoke, and the heavens and earth came into existence:  "By the WORD of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of HIS mouth"  (Psalm 33:6; Genesis 1:3). As JESUS walked the earth, the power of HIS WORD's gave life to a dead man. HE gave instructions to remove the stone door from Lazarus' grave, and his sister reminded the LORD that by now her brother  "stinketh"  (John 11:39). When the stone had been removed, JESUS spoke:  "Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. JESUS saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go" (John 11:43-44). JESUS' WORD's could also take away life. As JESUS and HIS disciples passed a fig tree that bore no fruit, our LORD used the fig tree to teach HIS disciples a lesson about faith, and HIS spoken WORD took the life out of the tree (Matthew 21:19-20). By the spoken WORD JESUS healed the sick and cast out devils. When the band of men came with Judas the betrayer, JESUS spoke, and they fell backward to the ground (John 18:6).

     From the beginning to end, the Scriptures illustrate the power of the WORD of GOD. Yes, as our text declares, GOD's WORD will not return  "void";  IT will "accomplish" what IT states; IT will  "prosper"  in whatever purpose IT claims. For the believer, this is a comforting truth; for the one who has rejected GOD's WORD, the fact remains: Everything GOD declares will come to pass, including the future reality of Heaven and Hell. " JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

"Water Baptism: Obedience and Identification"

Acts 8:35-39   " Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him JESUS. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said,  'See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ?'  And Philip said,  'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.' And he answered and said,  'I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of GOD.' And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the SPIRIT of the LORD caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. "

     Many people are confused about the purpose of water baptism. JESUS sent out HIS disciples and instructed them to evangelize, teach, and baptize (Matthew 28:19-20). The book of Acts gives us several practical examples of the proper practice of water baptism, and today's text is one such example. Philip the evangelist had explained the way of Salvation to the Ethiopian man who was reading from the prophet Isaiah. After Philip  "preached unto him JESUS" (v.35), the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip,  "What doth hinder me to be baptized ?" (V.36). Several truths regarding water baptism are evident in Philip's response and the account of the Ethiopians baptism.

     First, water baptism is only for True Believers ("If thou believest with all thine heart," v.37).  The practice of infant baptism is not biblical because a baby does not yet possess the ability to believe with understanding.  Second, water baptism is a public declaration that one is identifying with JESUS  ("I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of GOD," v.37).  Third, the mode of water baptism is by immersion into the water. Not only does the word baptism mean to "dip into,"  but the Bible declares that Philip and the Ethiopian  "went down both into the water"  and came  "up out of the water"  (vv.38-39).  Fourth, True Biblical Conversion followed by identification with JESUS CHRIST through water baptism (Romans 6:3-4) leads to great joy ("and he went away rejoicing,"  v.39).  

     Have you experienced True Biblical Conversion ? After having trusted in JESUS CHRIST alone for your eternal well-being, have you obediently identified yourself with HIM through water baptism ? What a joy it is to obey and to identify with our SAVIOR ! JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Hating Sin, Loving the Sinner "

Romans 5:6-10   " For when we were yet without strength, in due time CHRIST died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure (perhaps) for a good man some would even dare to die. But GOD commendeth (demonstrates) HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Much more then, being now justified by HIS blood, we shall be saved from wrath through HIM. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to GOD by the death of HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by HIS life. "

     JESUS hated sin but loved the sinner. That divine love brought our LORD from heaven's glory to this sinful world to bear on Calvary's cross the penalty for every person's sin. Today's text declares this wonderful fact. As believers, our emotions well up with eternal awe as we meditate upon the indescribable love of CHRIST for us. Like the morally unchaste woman who came to JESUS with costly ointment and poured it upon the SAVIOR's feet - she understood that HE loved her and wanted to forgive and release her from the power and eternal consequences of her immorality. As she wiped JESUS' anointed feet with her hair, she reveled the true faith of her heart, believing that JESUS was indeed the SAVIOR of the world. What a burden of sin was lifted, and how happy was her heart when she heard JESUS' WORDs,  "Thy sins are forgiven ... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:48-50). What great love !

     How different was the proud attitude of those who hated JESUS, for HIS sinless life revealed the true wickedness of their hearts and the vile nature of their sin ! As HE spoke to these haughty individuals, JESUS explained that they no longer had a  "cloak for their sin"  (John 15:22). With their sin exposed by HIM, they hated our LORD (John 15:24). Pride clouded their eyes to the truth that JESUS loved them; it was their sin that HE hated. Like JESUS, true believers are to hate sin but have benevolence for the sinner. Because the saint's hatred of sin removes the  "cloak for their sin,"  the true Christian often experiences the same misunderstood anger as our LORD received:  "They hated ME without a cause"  (John 15:25). Yet, as JESUS demonstrated, compassion for all is imperative ! JMC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org