LEARNING DAILY

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1, To everything there is a season, a time for ever purpose under heaven:

 

You really should get your Bible out and read verses 2-8 even if you have read them many times before. It is important to see that God controls and oversees everything that happens in this world. He has determined certain things happen at certain times. For instance, “there is a time to plant and a time for the harvest”. Another thought that I am still trying to figure out is, “a time to keep silent, and a time to speak”. 

 

 Notice the word time which is repeated throughout the verses; it has been set by God. To follow the appointed times, doing what is necessary and proper, then success seems to happen. If that is true, doing things out of season causes us to fail. Using the two thoughts above, planting cannot be done in the winter. For the farmer in the Midwest states, the ground is not tillable nor would there be any fruit of their labors. And, knowing when and when not to speak has its own benefits.

 

Here is the problem, you and I have been given a time when certain activities need to be done. Even nature and the animal kingdom are governed by certain times for activities to be done. Nature and animals follow God-given instincts to know what to do in these times. But man, often does things in a different time than God created; he devotes the time to something different. So evil is done because it was done in a time not designated by God.

 

 I hope I am explaining this correctly. Is it possible to be out of God’s will and miss His timing and purpose for our lives because we attempt to do something different from God’s eternal plan for our lives. If God knew us before we were in the womb as Psalm 139 states and He has a plan for our lives as Jeremiah 29 states, then He has a purpose and activities determined for every person. Yes, we could debate predestination and free will for a long time, I suppose. But that will all be cleared up when we get to heaven.

 

“In the beginning God created the world” (Genesis 1:1) and He has determined the length of time it will endure and the end. God is in control of time. That takes pressure off you and me. But it also encourages us to be obedient to the activities He has determined for us to do and at the right time. He has promised to never leave or forsake us when we give our lives to Him. You and I are required to walk in obedience to Him. To me that means I am not alone when I live as He requires me to. To me that means, there will be difficult times to be faced as we move toward the time God has set for this world to end. You and I must make the best of the opportunities God has set before us; we become encouragers for those around us or set an example of what being a Christian is to a hurting and evil world. God chose you and me and has a purpose for us in this time. Trust Him and be led by the Holy Spirit and walk through the doors he opens up for you. You have been created for a reason; your choice is how you choose to handle it! “To everything there is a season, a time for ever purpose under heaven!”

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Vanity of vanity,” says the Preacher; “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

 

There have been days when I just shook my head and wondered what life was about. I have considered the importance I have placed on stuff, the importance of trying to achieve ______ (you fill in the blank), and of winning and losing. Why have these things driven me like they did? Why did I place them ahead of other things that really mattered? Perhaps you have wondered about things in your life.

 

Solomon is thought to be the author of the book of Ecclesiastes. There are references throughout the writing to being king, being wealthy, being wise, and being able to pursue whatever he wanted. These references point to the Solomon being the book’s author. The verse above has been acknowledged as the theme of the writing as it certainly is seen throughout it. Solomon had everything that most people dream about. You know how people chase after the big lottery money or the Publisher’s Clearing House suggestion that you could win $5,000 a week for life. At some time, Solomon began a journey to find out the meaning in having all the wealth, possessions, wisdom, accomplishments, and just being smarter than everyone else. He concluded that life has meaning only when God was at the center of everything. I am reminded of Paul and all of his accomplishments, the certificates of accomplishment he had achieved, his position in life and all the trophies he had collected (read Philippians 3:1-11) in his life and “he counted it all loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ”.

 

Solomon found that life is meaningless and pointless without God; he found that the answers the world system offers do not bring happiness or meaning. Winning the lottery does not bring the happiness and contentment people dream about. Achieving position and success in the workplace brings scrutiny from people everywhere. There are always critics and those who believe they can do a better job than you in your position of authority. Do all the possessions and stuff you have, your position and even your wisdom and the pursuit of these things give you true meaning to life?

 

In a previous page of the blog, I mentioned that God has placed eternity in our hearts, meaning God created you and me to be spiritual beings. If we are not walking on the narrow way to God’s kingdom, serving Him, and doing everything to be obedient to Him, we will always be trying to find purpose in substitute stuff and activities. The world will try to tell us that we are defined by what we have, our position in life, our career, and whether or not we are a star in the activities we choose to participate in. If that is what we believe, then all will be vanity and life will be meaningless.

 

I am learning that life is certainly like a blink of an eye, especially when compared to eternity. God created life to have meaning and for each of us to accomplish His purposes. We are to follow Jesus’ instruction to lay up treasure in heaven, not to build up treasures here on earth (Matthew 6:19-20). The vanity Solomon writes about is trying to find happiness apart from God. God gives us these things to enjoy and use for His purposes and His glory and honor. Solomon found that when God is excluded from one’s life wisdom, achievements, stuff, and skills are ultimately pointless and fruitless. The encouraging thought from this is when you and I place God at the very center of all He has given to us, when what He has given us is used to glorify Him, life is meaningful and exciting. I believe Solomon is telling you and me to not waste the precious gifts He has given us as we realize all we choose to do is for Him and eternity.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 15:16, “You did not choose Me; but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Jesus

 

I am going to say it again. Jesus Christ is sitting on His throne and He is in control of all things. That takes a lot of pressure off you and me! Because you and I have accepted Him as our Savior and walk on the narrow way with Him as our Lord, we are not alone as we begin each day.

 

Jesus told the disciples that He had chosen each one of them; He had appointed them to be His disciples. Because He had appointed them, He had given them each a direction for their lives. This included living out what He had taught them, sharing the gospel, and winning many people to follow Him, to bear fruit. Bearing fruit means “making life-long disciples for Christ, not superficial believers” (DJSB).

 

All Christians have been chosen by Christ to follow Him and to make disciples; they are to bear fruit. Bearing fruit refers to “spiritual virtues such as the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 and to share what Jesus has done in their lives” (LSSB). The call to make disciples may be different for each of. One might help another accept Christ through personal testimony, or just taking another to a church that preaches the gospel. Another might be a spark to someone by the way they live their lives, just by being a living example of the love of God. Still another, may be able to give a simple word of encouragement to one who is struggling with issues in their life and perhaps their faith.

 

The remarkable teaching in this verse is that Jesus chose each of the disciples. They did not choose Him. He was telling them that He chose them before they had any real knowledge and affection for Him. I do not know about you, but I was not seeking God when I accepted Him as my Savior. A student reached out to me by giving a book to me to read; it changed my life as I accepted Christ because of it. The Holy Spirit was causing me to seek Him and was leading me to Him all this time. Jesus chose me just like He has everyone of you. There is another remarkable fact in this. He is not surprised by what might happen in the lives of others through you and me. In his devotional, Tony Dungy writes, “We are to make the most of our opportunities to grow and stretch our faith, and to influence others to come to Christ. And in all of that, we are to trust God, guided by His word, to not only be there as we walk through doors He is opening, but to realize that He is leading us through and encouraging us along the way.”

 

It must be known that “God is producing the fruit through the Holy Spirit” (Tony Dungy); fruit is not produced through our efforts. You and I are who He works through and He does not want us to become prideful in what He is doing through us. He alone is God and He alone deserves the honor and the glory for what He does through us. I pray that each of you blesses someone today and impacts a life for the kingdom of God!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 4:19, We love Him because He first loved us.

 

The New Living Translation says, ”We love each other because He first loved us.” The message here, in my opinion, is our ability to love God and others is due to the love He first showed us through His Son. When we accept the gift of God’s salvation that comes though the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we receive the ability to truly love Him and others because His nature is love. We become a new creation that has God’s nature -- love. God’s love is different from that of an unbeliever. God’s love is holy. God’s love is unconditional. God’s love is zealous. God’s love is sacrificial.

 

1 John 4:8 tells us, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” You and I are not to just be a “loving person”; we are to be like God. I can speak for only me. When I got saved, I learned and lived an entirely different meaning for love. That meaning came because of my intense desire to study and know who God was (is). Over years of study, I have learned that love is rooted in the character and nature of Almighty God. He is the originator, the origin of all true love. Biblical love is about walking the narrow way to eternity with the Holy Spirit’s help, trying to be the best possible person who wants the very best for others while asking for nothing in return (paraphrased from the notes in the David Jeremiah Study Bible). You and I cannot have that kind of love without God in our lives.

 

You and I are exhorted to love others, to be concerned about them and their welfare, their walk on the narrow way. This is not some sort of feel-good thing toward others but a genuine desire to help others in their needs. Because we have experienced His love and His forgiveness, we are to extend the same to others. Sometimes that means we are to love those who are difficult to love. All of us face situations like this. When we do, remember how unlovable we were when God first loved us. He forgave us and loved us with an unconditional love. When we extend that kind of love to others, when God’s real love abides within us, our actions and our attitudes reveal God to those around us.

 

Let me finish with one more verse. “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). If you and I love Him, we will do everything we can to live each day in His righteousness and walk on the narrow way to His kingdom as He desires. I am not sure there is a greater way to express our love for God than to walk according to His commandments and his desires for us. Obviously, this does not happen immediately; it is a continual work going on in us and will continue until we walk into heaven. God has always desired, demanded that His people be obedient to Him before everything else. We are not able to do this on our own. He knew that. Because of that He sent the Holy Spirit to help us.

 

“Love for Jesus Christ is demonstrated by keeping His commandments. Obedience that flows from love is very different from obedience performed out of obligation.” (David Jeremiah Study Bible). Love God, love others with the love that God loves you with.

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 4:6, We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

 

You might be thinking here he goes again – another writing on deception. It might end that way; it is starting with the attacks you and are seeing on truth. I recently read an article that said, “We live in an era when information is at our fingertips, and the truth is under attack more than ever. Truth is a dangerous business, and the mainstream media does not take too kindly to investigative journalists who threaten their stronghold on the going narrative.” You and I need to come to the hard reality that the world does not want to hear truth. It is obvious that the world did not want to know truth when John wrote the verse above.

 

Today, this hatred for the truth has gone to the point that if social media does not like what a person writes, the person is “cancelled” and/or banned from the social media platform. Do you wonder if we are being told the truth by those in charge (at any level)? It seems there is always a great attempt to keep “stuff” from us, tell us half-truths, or just tell us outright lies. Deception! Where is the transparency promised us? Well, of course, that was a lie! There are attempts being made to only tell us what people want us to believe. That guy in history who ran Germany used that tactic; he believed the bigger the lie, the more easily it was believed. It worked for a while. We must not let it continue here.

 

1 Corinthians 2:14-15a tells us, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to Him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.  But he who is spiritual judges all things”. Those who do not have the Holy Spirit in them, the natural man, may believe the lies. But those of us who are of God can discern when lies are being told them; they can at least know something is not right. The only way to know God’s truth is to walk with Him. Apart from God there is no absolute truth. Those in the world clearly want to have their own truth and anyone who does not agree is “cancelled”. God’s truth never changes.

 

There is an aspect of truth that is important. Truth in the Bible is connected to being faithful and being trustworthy. Do you see that it is just the opposite of being deceitful and evil? Because God is faithful and trustworthy, you and I should be as well. Our words must be what we do and we must be doing what we say. We speak truth and do not twist words for our own advantage or to try to believe and follow evil directions. We stay on the narrow way to God’s kingdom by walking in truth no matter what the consequences may be.

 

Days are growing more and more evil. Truth is being silenced whenever it can be. I am going to stand firm in God’s truth, even when others do not appreciate it. I believe correct and strong teaching corrects error and false teaching so prevalent today.

 

 I wonder if I will be cancelled.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11, He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the works that God does from beginning to end.

 

The highlighted part of the verse was used in a sermon this past weekend. I decided to do a little more research on the meaning of God “put eternity in their hearts”. To best understand it, read the verses before; the writer of Ecclesiastes, probably Solomon, tells us there is a time for everything. Solomon writes that you and I do not always know or understand why God does what He does and when He does it.

 

God “created”, He made everything beautiful; all was created good. His plan was good! Everything that happens does so when it should. We often hear about God’s timing. We pray in the way the Bible teaches for something to happen and if it does not occur right away, we say it is not God’s timing - yet. So, we wait for His timing to be right. That does not help us to understand but it does help us to learn more about trusting God.

 

“He put eternity in their hearts”. You and I were created with eternity in God’s kingdom in mind. The notes in the David Jeremiah Study Bible help us understand what that means. “What God has put in the human heart (eternity) cannot be discovered or fulfilled through the experiences of this world because people are made for the next. Still, God has bestowed opportunities that He intends for people to redeem.” You and I were made to spend eternity in God’s kingdom. The opportunities we are given to redeem is salvation through Jesus Christ and then to have fellowship with Him now and forever in His kingdom. We admit that we are sinners and need Him to save us; He does so when we ask from our heart and then we walk the narrow way until we walk into His eternal kingdom.

 

Our walk on the narrow way includes understanding that God is sitting on His throne and in control of all things. We have to believe and trust in that. We walk the narrow way believing that He allows things to happen in our lives that draw us closer to Him, shape us into being more like Him by cleansing us. He knows what we need, when we need it and exactly how “it” needs to be done. Read verses 12-15. Solomon tells us to enjoy life and live it in the way God desires us to live it; it is His gift to us through His Son. Once you and I are in the right relationship with Him, submit our life to Him, He then gives us joy in what we do. We are not to fear life, we are to fear God (v. 14).

 

The Bible gives us glimpses of heaven. It tells us of a wonderful and beautiful place where there is no sickness, no pain, a place filled with peace and the love of God. His presence with us is no doubt the most wonderful aspect of eternity. Life is but a vapor (James 4:14). Eternity is a long time! God has placed eternity with Him in our hearts. Because we might not fully understand this, we can never become complacent in our walk on the narrow way. Our challenge is to always focus on the purpose for our lives that He has given us. We are to live by faith and trust in His sovereignty in every situation we face as we walk the narrow way into the kingdom of God!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Gideon 6:27, So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the Lord had said to him. But because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.

 

John 3:2, This man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night ….

 

Do you see the common thought between these two verses of Scripture? Both Gideon and Nicodemus were so concerned about what others thought that they did what they needed to do at night so they could not be seen. I would venture to believe that fear of what others think prevents each of us from doing what the Lord desires from us. I would also throw out a thought that too many of us are so concerned about what others think that we act or speak to please them instead of doing the right things. Does that make sense?

 

Both of the Bible characters did what they did so they would not be seen. Gideon was being obedient to what the Lord had told him to do; night obedience is certainly better than no obedience! Nicodemus desired to know more about Jesus, to talk to Him but was afraid for anyone to see him doing so. After all, he was a member of the Sanhedrin, an important person.

 

What does this mean for you and me today? I find our desire to be “liked” and “accepted” to be a major force in how we dress, the importance in how we look, our need to fit in with a group, and for our willingness to just be honest with ourselves and with others. We spend a lot of time trying to fit in, to be what we think others want us to be. Be careful! A trap can be set when this causes us to desire to be more concerned about what others think than what Jesus thinks.  Everything we do must always be brought in line with God’s Word.

 

We can also get out of balance when we decide we are going to do what we want to do and not worry about what others think about it – especially when “our want to do” is contrary to God’s will or godly council. There have been times when my wants have become so strong that I have begun to believe they were God’s plan. After waiting and searching without anything happening, the reality set in that my wants were not God’s will at all. I had not received godly council and my own wants had led me astray.

 

Here is what I have seen over many years. We fear what others think about us. It enters into too many of our decisions. It keeps us from witnessing about God’s love for us and others and what He has done for us. It keeps us from being honest or straightforward with others, especially with those we love. We certainly prosper when we get along with others, but we need to think and act independently at the same time. I associate best with those who are like-minded and accept me for who I am; I trust them. I can ask them what is going on when I think they are not accepting of what I am doing or saying. I can take chances with them, expressing my thoughts and asking questions. I need to do better with that – no longer allowing fear of what others think of me to get in the way saying and doing what Jesus desires from me.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Psalm 136:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

 

There will be no blog tomorrow; I am having a cataract removed in the morning.

 

The structure of this Psalm is unique as the words “For His mercy endures forever” are repeated at the end of each verse. It is an important teaching for each of us to remember because it teaches us that God is good. I do not believe that I am adding anything here because God’s Word tells us that He alone is good. Paul writes in Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. I am sure I have defined the word “all” but let me remind you. All means all! Only God is good, without sin, perfect! That means “all” that God does regardless of what it is or what He allows us to face, you and I can face it knowing He is with us as we do so, and we can give Him the praise He desires.

 

Here is the problem each of us face because of Romans 3:23. Because “all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory” life on earth is not perfect. In fact, my experience is that challenges present themselves each day due to the things I say and do, how I react to what other people say and do; add that to circumstances beyond my control that happen and I often wonder what is going on! Does anyone else sense this? It always comes back around that only God is good. His love for us, His plans for us never change.

 

If the life on this earth is not perfect that means each of us will go through difficult times that we will question and not understand. In John 16:33, Jesus said we would go through difficult times; when we do, we could find our peace in Him. Those times may be due to being associated with Him, calling ourselves a Christian. These pressures we all face are facts of life. Jesus said to face them with courage and hope in Him because “He has overcome the world”.

 

Satan asked God to give him permission to “sift” Job. Jesus told Peter that Satan had asked permission to do the same thing with him. To be sifted means to be put through a difficult situation that more than likely cannot be comprehended. For both Job and Peter, they became stronger followers of Jesus Christ when their “sifting” was complete. And, they were a testimony and better able to help others. As you just read, their testimony is still being used as examples today.

 

There are a lot of things happening in the world and all around each of us; things that just confuse and perplex us. Those things closest to us are always the worst. How do we face them? We trust completely in God who loves much more than we can understand. Is it just that easy? Yes and no because we see and live the turmoil of the situation with our brothers and sisters in Christ. But, trusting that Jesus is with us and guiding us through our circumstances and knowing that He is in control of every situation can be a great help. It is still tough going through and enduring it – that’s the reality. That does not change the fact that God is good and His mercy endure forever!

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 4:1-2, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.

 

You and I must be dedicated to truth and righteousness revealed in God’s Word. It is the only way we will not be deceived in these days we live in. How do we know who is a false teacher and who is not? John tells us to test the spirits to see if they are of God. How do we do that?

 

1 Corinthians 12:3 tells us, ”Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Holy Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” Galatians 1:9 gives support to this, “As we have said before, and say again, If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you received (from the Word of God), let him be accursed.” “Christians are commanded to test all Christian teachers, writers, preachers, and prophets, and in fact any individual who claims his or her work or message comes from the Holy Spirit” (LSSB).  Make sure what you hear and what you read lines up with God’s Word! I have told my classes at school and I tell you to never take my words as true without making sure I line up with the Scriptures. I know if I write some error, I have those who will call me on it in a heartbeat! I am so thankful for that because I never want to mislead anyone with error.

 

We must test every spirit because “false prophets and false teachers” will enter the church and teach tolerance for error and unbiblical teaching. This is already happening as so many people do not want to hear truth because truth upsets their lifestyle and their desires. Believers cannot assume that one’s message or ministry or spiritual experience is from God just because one says it is. It must also be noted that one’s teaching or doctrine should not be accepted because it is successful and has a large following.

 

There is another test that might be used. The content of the message is to be tested but the spirit behind the message needs to be examined also. That means that the teaching or message must be supported by sound and critical examination of the Scriptural text. How many times have I encouraged a careful reading and study of God’s Word in order to know the real when the false comes? That helps us to at least question the teaching so we can see if it lines up with God’s Word.

 

One last point. Those who are reaching and preaching false doctrine betray themselves when they deny the deity of Jesus Christ.; they deny that He was God in a human body, fully divine and fully man. They deny His virgin birth, His redemptive death on a cross and His resurrection. Every time a message departs from the Word of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ, it opens the door to demonic spirits of deception. This is because the teaching is setting aside the authority and the trust we place in faith in God’s Word.

 

Why is this important? It is important because Jesus said in the days before His return for His Church there would be great deception from false prophets. Those days are here!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible

 

 LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 24:11, Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

 

In the last page of the blog, the lesson from Samuel told us that obedience to God’s Word from our heart was more important than any outward form of worship or personal sacrifice. The lesson you and I need to take from Saul doing what he thought was right instead of following what God had said to do is sin. Doing what we think instead of following God’s Word is going to be at the very center of the falling away from faith at the end of time.

 

I asked Jesus into my life in July of 1976 after reading a book called The Late Great Planet Earth. It was a book written to explain the end of days and the second coming of Jesus Christ to set up His kingdom on earth. Since that time, I have spent a great deal of time reading and studying everything I could on this subject. I am convinced that as the time of Christ’s return to establish His kingdom, false teachers and false prophets will be prevalent during this time. You and I must know the Word of God, know what it teaches and be alert to those who would perform signs and wonders and teach “new” revelation even though it conflicts with the written Word of God. Do you understand why I continue to write about reading, studying, and understanding what God’s Word says? We must be alert and recognize false teaching.

 

False teachers, those who teach and preach a distorted gospel will even gain leadership positions in church denominations and theological schools that allow them to deceive many and, sadly, many in the churches. The only way to guard against false teaching is to be grounded in God’s Word.

 

Jesus is admonishing all Believers to be on the alert for professing Christians, teachers, preachers, who are in reality false. The problem comes when these false teachers perform miracles, healings, signs and wonders, and appear to have great success in their ministries. Be alert! At the same time these things are happening, the truth is being distorted and even rejected. Matthew 7:22-23 is an interesting statement regarding this. “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Jesus emphatically tells us, warns us, “that there will be many in the church who will minister in His name and believe they are His servants, yet in reality He does not know them” (LSSB). Did you notice? Jesus also made it clear that the gospel may be proclaimed in His name, miracles be done in His name by those who have no genuine salvation experience with Him. These things are instead done under the influence and power of Satan.

 

How can you keep from being deceived? You and I must be dedicated to the truth and righteousness revealed in God’s Word and not look to the “successes” of an individual or their ministry as the standard to judge their relationship with Christ. Test the spirit behind all teachers, leaders, and preachers – I will explain how in the next page of the blog. Love God. Seek Him. Love truth. Read and study His Word and do what it says.

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Samuel 15:22-23, But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to Him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you from being king.” (New Living Translation)

 

The prophet Samuel is telling King Saul that God has rejected him and his family lineage from being king in Israel. Here Samuel is telling Saul that he is being set aside as king. Saul had not been obedient to do what God had instructed when God gave him victory over his enemies. Saul “claimed he had performed the Lord’s commandments -- until Samuel confronted him. Then he twice blamed the people for his disobedience. If he had acknowledged his sin immediately, perhaps his punishment would not have been so severe” (DJSB).

 

It is important to know the difference between obeying God’s Word from our heart and outward forms of worship, service, and personal sacrifice. Saul was guilty of doing his own concept of what was right instead of what God had instructed to do. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states. “The story of Saul [in these verses] is the story of someone who rationalizes and explains away his own sin. Saul was chosen king over Israel, yet he disobeyed God and followed his own desires. Saul is a picture of how everyone rationalizes sin and their own rebellion, everyone feigns ignorance of their own wrongdoing and sinful desires.” OUCH! For too long that was me and to come face to face with that hurts; I am so thankful God never gave up on me!

 

Here is the point. “Worship, praise, prayer, spiritual gifts, and service to God are hollow in His sight if not accompanied by explicit obedience to Him and His Word” (LSSB). In other words, you and I need to do what we do out of obedience to what God says in His Bible. Reading and studying without doing does not help us. In his letter, James tells us to “be doers of the Word”. Being a Christian is summed up by Robert Emmitt in this way: “We love God. Read His Word. Do what it says.”

 

Not doing so is disobedience; the verses above state, “Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols.” The sin of witchcraft is trying to manipulate events, people, or anything else through demonic forces. Rebellion against God’s Word is like the sin of witchcraft because both reject God as Lord and attempt to bring about the outcome of something in a way that is different from God’s way.

 

Read a little further and you will see Saul feared the people more than he feared the consequences of sin. Tomorrow, I want to show you how this sin will be central to the final apostasy (falling away) that Jesus said would happen just before He returns. Read God’s Word. Study it. Be obedient to what it says!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Romans 3:22-24, We are made right in God’s sight – not by obeying the law but by the way promised in Scriptures long ago. We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. We all can be saved in this way, no matter what we have done. For all have sinned; all fall short of od’s glorious standard. Yet now God in His glorious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.

 

People work so hard to be successful. Athletes and coaches work hard to win a game(s) because those watching judge their performance by the score of the games played. People in business strive to “move up” in their chosen profession because others judge their work ethic by the position they hold. People are taught at a young age that the harder they work in school, the better college they will get to attend or the better job they will be able to get. Do you get the idea? Hard work equals success.

 

I wonder if this concept of working hard to achieve success is applied to having to do something in order to earn our salvation. I wonder how many people have tried to live their lives as really good people thinking this is what is required to get into heaven. If that is the case, how many have been disappointed. Once again, I am sure I am writing to the “choir” because you know that all our hard work doing all the right and expected things a Christian is to do, does not meet the standard to get into heaven.

 

The standard for entering heaven is found in the verses above, “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.” It is a free gift received by our faith when we believe what Jesus Christ did for us on a cross and our heart responds in trust. It is a response not because we have done anything but simply because we respond to what Jesus did. He took all the sins away of everyone who believes. There is work involved by the Believer; but the work occurs because of our salvation and is done with joy and devotion to our Lord and Savior.

 

Faith includes repentance and obedience. Saving faith is true sorrow for the sinful life of disobedience lived before placing our faith in Him. Obedience to Him is inspired by faith, our gratitude for what He has done for us, and through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to cleanse us of all the “yuck” in our lives. That cleaning is a continuing process until we enter eternity in God’s kingdom. Faith and obedience go together; saving faith without a commitment to sanctification (life long cleansing) is impossible.

 

“Faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is both the act of a single moment and a continuing attitude that must be strengthened. Because we have faith in a specific person who died for us, our faith should become greater. Trust and obedience develop into loyalty and devotion; loyalty and devotion develop into intense feeling of impersonal attachment and love for Jesus Christ. This love brings us into a new relationship with God and exempts us from His wrath; through the new relationship we become dead to sin and indwelt by the Holy Spirit” (LSSB).

 

God sent His Son to die in our place for our sins. We can never earn that; we can accept it as God’s free gift to us. What a wonderful gift it is!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Here is another reaction to a current event that has been all over the internet and some news stations. It is positive current event for a change! You have probably seen the video of a Little League game where the pitcher from one team hit an opposing player in the head with a wild pitch. The batter immediately fell to the ground but was able to go to first base; he was not hurt. When the batter got to first base, he looked at the pitcher who was obviously very emotional over what had happened. That is when the unexpected happened. The hit batter left first base, went to the pitcher, and hugged him to let him know he was okay. That was pretty neat, right!?

 

I have a thought that you might be like me and have done some things that you were not too proud of, that caused you to feel really bad about after you gave your life to Jesus Christ. Like the Little League pitcher, I have done stupid things that have caused me to be emotional about my behavior when I call myself a Christian. Some times I have needed the person I offended to just give me a hug and tell me everything was okay. Even more I need my Savior to let me know that He has forgiven me. That is why I cling to the verse from 1 John. I have written a number of times about it;  just like the hit batter who went to the pitcher to tell all was well.

 

This verse is not a license to do whatever we want and then ask for forgiveness. Jesus said that the narrow way to His kingdom would be a difficult way. After our salvation occurs, we fight continually against the old self, our old way of life continues to tempt us. Unfortunately, we give in too often. Jesus knew this would happen because you and I are weak. When we give in and sin, we must admit our sins and seek God’s forgiveness and His purification. We are reconciled to God through His forgiveness. The Lord Jesus Christ sits at the Father’s right hand and is our Advocate before Him when the devil accuses us of our wrong doing(s). Because the Lord Jesus reminds the Father that you and I are saved and cleansed of sin because of His blood, God forgives our wrong doing (sin). He then purifies us by removing the guilt and power of sin from us in order for us to live lives of holiness.

 

You and I are cleansed of sin when we are saved through the blood of Jesus. However, there is an ongoing need to confess our sins, be forgiven, and experience the cleansing God brings to our lives. Consider having an argument with a friend. If it is not resolved, a barrier can be established between the two of you which cause difficulty with the friendship. That barrier needs to be taken down to reestablish the friendship. It is the same concept when we sin. A barrier is established between us and God when we sin; it is always our fault. The need to breakdown the barrier to establish our relationship with Him is done through confession of what we did. Each of us has experienced that terrible feeling when we caused a barrier to be established. We also know the tremendous feeling of being cleansed and that of being restored. For me, it is knowing that my Savior and Lord has come to me, given me a hug, and told me everything is okay!  

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Jonah 4:1-2, But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So, he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah. Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I knew that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.”

 

I know some of you who are reading this and know me, are probably going to laugh out loud when you read this this morning. Bear with me. I am feeling a little like Jonah this morning. I am not mad at God, but like Jonah did not want God to deliver the terrible Ninevites, I would like to see God “get after” (I hesitate saying anything worse) those in leadership (and those following them) making horrible, ungodly, and unrighteous decisions for those who want to live on the narrow way. There I said it and I said it with all the respect I can gather. At the same time, I know God is in control and has all things – not just a few – under His control.

 

God sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of repentance to the Assyrian people. These people were an extremely hostile people. You know the story about Jonah heading in the opposite direction from Nineveh, God causing a terrible storm, Jonah being thrown overboard and a great fish swallowing him. For three days he was in who knows what in the belly of the great fish and spit up on the third day on the shore of Nineveh. There Jonah was obedient to deliver the message that in forty days God was going to overthrow Nineveh. The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, repented, and God canceled His plan for judgment. Perhaps the people repented so quickly because of their worship of the fish god Dagan. And that “displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry”.

 

That brings me to the anger I am feeling today. I am so tired of the lies, the deceit, and what is being done in this country that is leading to God’s judgment. I want the rapture to occur and then God’s judgment to reign down on those who have made such terrible decisions. That being said, I am also different from Jonah. Jonah’s problem, it seems, was he was not really dedicated to God’s will. As was the case for Nineveh, God is more concerned about people repenting; His primary desire is to show mercy and not to execute punishment and judgment. God is always moved with compassion for sinners who sincerely desire to repent. Read and remember the words of Peter, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  Christ delays His return so His message of salvation is preached to the whole world (Matthew 24:14). He wants everyone to hear the gospel and wants no one to perish. That truth does not mean all will say yes to it. Sadly, those who reject this message will perish; they will walk the broad way that leads to eternal destruction. That is their choice.

 

You and I must pray for the salvation of those in high places and those around us each day. We pray that the message of salvation reaches their heart and they say yes to it. Yes I am angry at what is being done in this country; but the only way it will be resolved is by God’s people standing firm and being obedient to God’s Word by praying for those who need His offer of salvation.