Wednesday, November 8, 2017

The Just And Faith

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."  Galatians 3:11.  The law could not justify.  The law had no power of forgiveness.  Only Christ could bring justification.  They who are made just by the blood of Christ are to live by faith.  Faith in Christ makes us just.  We accept Christ as the fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham.  We believe Christ to be the One who was approved of God to redeem the lost.  We know Christ as the Savior.  The blood which was given by Christ on the cross redeems us from the guilt and penalty of sin.  We walk in step with Jesus Christ in our daily life.  We fulfill His will as we follow and obey Him.  We trust Him as our Mediator.  Our faith is the anchor of our soul.  Our faith empowers us to be victorious over temptation and trial.  Our faith comforts us in the darkest of days.  Our faith is our tower of strength.  Our faith is our rock and fortress.  Our faith sees the promised land, and guides us through this foreign land.  The just live not by sight, but by faith.

Monday, November 6, 2017

A Measure Of Leven

"And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."  Luke 13:20-21.  The teaching of Jesus is very precise.  With few words, He teaches great lessons.  His design here is that we understand the nature of God's kingdom.  The leaven has been hidden in the meal.   We do not see it work, and yet, the whole is eventually penetrated.  The kingdom of God would penetrate the whole of the earth.  Just as the leaven had an influence over the meal, the kingdom of God would exert an influence in the world.  The leaven changed the meal.  The kingdom of God would change the world.  Can we not see the influence of the kingdom of God?  Wherever the kingdom goes, the hearts of humanity are changed.  The leaven of God works in our lives to transform us into God's very image.  The world is made better because of the influence of the kingdom.  As the leaven had a penetrating effect upon the meal, so the kingdom of God would have a penetrating effect upon the world where God placed it.

A Grain Of Mustard Seed

"Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden: and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it."  Luke 13:18-19.  Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God.  When He speaks of divine truths, we must hear Him.  A grain of mustard seed is very tiny.  But, from that tiny seed, a great tree grows.  From the seed of the gospel, the kingdom of God will grow and grow until it fills the whole earth.  A man cast the seed into the ground.  Men are to cast the seed of the kingdom across the earth.  God uses human vessels for His work.  In the world, this seed is cast by the preaching of truth.  That seed will explode by the power of God, and consume the hearts of humanity.  In the branches of the great tree, birds find shelter and refuge.  In the kingdom of God, the saved find refuge from the ills of life and the devastation of sin.  The kingdom of God will continue to produce hope for the lost until time shall be no more.

Friday, November 3, 2017

When Thou Art Full

"When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee."  Deuteronomy 8:10.  The Lord has described the land into which He will bring His people.  Long ago God had given the promise to Abraham.  Now, God is telling Moses that the people will come into the land.  God wants them to understand the goodness of this land, and the joy that shall be theirs.  The land will produce so that they can eat and be full.  For this gift, God wants them to bless Him and remember the blessings that they have received from Him in the past.  God always wants His people whom He has blessed to return that blessing and show gratitude.  Good things in our life can cause us to forget God.  Bad things that occur in our life may cause us to blame God.  We are to be ever mindful that God is good to us.  His desire is to bless us, and help us to know His love and care for us.  What we possess is a blessing from God.  Let us honor Him and praise Him.  Let us not forget His law and the covenant which He has made with us.  When we bless God, we will eat the goodness of the land.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Come, Lord Jesus

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus."  Revelation 22:20.  The church had faced the enemy.  Persecution had sought to destroy the church of our Lord.  Now, Jesus is coming to deliver.  The Lord of heaven and earth is coming to take vengeance on the host of Satan.  The church of Christ will always be delivered from those who seek to do her harm.  Trials will come in our life.  We will face the test of faith.  But, the Lord will come to deliver.  The Lord hears our cry of affliction even as He has in days long gone.  We must always continue to be strong.  We must continue to battle against the forces of evil.  When the Lord comes, He must find us faithful.  His promise to come must sustain us.  The victory which we desire must anchor us.  The crown is too precious to lose.  When He comes our burden will be lifted.  The enemy shall be vanquished.  He will come in all the glory of heaven, and we shall behold Him.  May our prayer ever be, Come, Lord Jesus.