Tag: Faith
Week 26–Day 1–Reward for walking with God
Scripture reading for June 22: Genesis 5:21-24 “”When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Hebrews 11:5-6 “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him. . .”
Have you ever wondered if your life was pleasing to God? Have you thought about the end of your life and where you might end up? Today, our life-span is seventy or eighty years if we are blessed to live that long. Some make it to 100 years but that is the exception. In the first book of the Bible, the ages of people listed there are much longer, giving them more time to reflect. Today we look at Enoch, a man who lived three hundred sixty five years and he walked with God after the birth of his son, Methuselah.
Enoch is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the seventh generation from Adam, the first man. He walked with God after his son was born. Methuselah lived longer than any other person recorded in Scripture at 969 years. His name meant, “When he dies, judgment will come.” God revealed His plan to Enoch in this manner and by faith he chose to walk with God. After three hundred years, Scripture records that suddenly he was here no longer and that God took him away. Hebrews reveals that Enoch did not see death because God took him up. The reason he was taken was his faith walk. Jude records that Enoch prophesied to his generation about the coming judgment. In the year his son Methuselah died, the great flood came and God’s judgment fell.
I believe that Enoch is a picture of the reward of all who walk with God by faith. We are told as New Testament believers in Jesus to expect Jesus to come for His people and snatch them away to heaven. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Walking by faith pleases God our Father and He gives eternal life as reward.
Prayer: Father, I desire to walk with You through this life and am willing to share Your Good News that through Jesus Christ, whoever believes will have eternal life. Amen.
Week 24–Day 1–Don’t fear men
Scripture reading for June 8: Luke 12:4-5“”I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear; fear Him Who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!”” Proverbs 16:6 “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.”
Fear is a hidden force that lurks in the minds and hearts of human beings. Our enemy, the devil, thrives in an atmosphere of fear because he works through lies and deception. His lies bring about fears of punishment or rejection that allows for manipulation and control. A fear of failure holds man back from obedience to God and locks them in lifestyles of addiction and slavery to the flesh. Behind these fears, the devil works through men and women to plant fear and division instead of the faith and obedience that comes from hearing God’s Word. Proverbs 29:25 states that “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
Jesus warned His disciples concerning the fear of men and their manipulations. They were not to fear those who threatened them with death because those who can kill the body do not determine a person’s eternal fate. God Alone holds that authority and He is the One we must fear (respect) and obey. Through Jesus Christ’s steadfast love and faithfulness our iniquity has been paid for and fear of death and punishment is removed. Through a relationship with Him and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we turn away from sin and evil.
First responders who are also faith responders understand this admonition of Jesus. We act in faith, trusting God to keep us safe as we deal with those who are hurting or those who through fear seek to manipulate or control others. We can be free from the fear of man and the fear of death and punishment through resting in Christ Jesus. We are then free to more effectively do our jobs.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for delivering us from the fear of man and his manipulation and threats. Help me to live each day trusting in You Alone for safety and wisdom to effectively deal with each incident in the courage of faith. Amen.
Day 2–Faith’s Perfect Peace
Scripture reading for March 10: Isaiah 26:2-4 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.”
It is our Lord’s desire as ‘Prince of Peace’ that we all enter into the righteous kingdom of heaven under His blessed Kingship. This peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. This peace is between us and God. The barrier of God’s wrath against sin is removed through faith in the One offering it. It comes as we choose to repent of running our own life and invite Jesus Christ to be Lord over our life. (Romans 3:24) This opens the Gate or Door, Who is Jesus Himself. (John 10:7) Trust grows as we develop a relationship with God that He promises will last forever.
The peace offered is called “perfect peace” by Isaiah. It is perfect in that all hostility between man and God ceases because Jesus Christ has satisfied God’s wrath against sin. We are declared ‘righteous’ through our faith in Christ’s sacrifice. Justice is satisfied and perfect peace abides as we fill our minds and hearts with God’s eternal truth. To stay in this peace, we fix our minds on Christ and meditate on His Word. As we do this day by day, God’s peace transforms our thinking, attitudes, and actions. People notice and can ask us how this can be. (1 Peter 3:15)
It is a great blessing when first responders enjoy the perfect peace coming from faith. We don’t earn this peace or work to make it evident. It is a gift from God that marks our lives and helps us daily to stay calm when others are at their worst. No matter what we face, this peace guards our hearts and minds and comforts those we help. (Philippians 4:7)
Prayer: Father God, I want to enter into the peace You offer. I have put my trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to daily choose to trust You. Fill me with this perfect peace that I may share that with those caught up in this world’s turmoil and conflict. Amen.
Week 9–Day 1– Courage Through Faith
Scripture reading for February 23: Joshua 1:8-9 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to do what is right in spite of fear. God had placed Joshua in leadership in Israel because he had demonstrated faith and courage as one of the twelve spies. Joshua believed that God had given the Israelites the land of promise and that they could take it in spite of obvious opposition from armed occupants already there. Now Moses had died and Joshua was called by God to lead the nation. God reminded Joshua that He would be with him as He had been with Moses. He promised Joshua that if He would meditate on God’s laws and speak them out of his mouth in faith, he would have prosperity and success. None of the armed forces in the land would be able to stand against him.
It is interesting to note that God reminded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed. Fear and fretting go together and are opposed to faith and courage. But God knew that if Joshua would meditate on His Word and apply it in faith, that courage and conquering would naturally take place. God would watch over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) Faith is a decision of the will to believe God’s Word.
As first responders, we must develop faith and courage in order to effectively do our job of helping those in need. An assurance that we are not alone, but that God is with us gives us courage. Knowledge of God’s Word and promises helps us to be bold and calm in approaching danger. Have you declared your faith in God and are you meditating on His Word and speaking it?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your promise of continually being with us as Your children. Thank You for Your amazing Word that brings faith when heard and courage to act in times of danger. Amen.
Day 2–Jesus Respects Faith
Scripture reading: Matthew 8:13 “And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.”
A Roman centurion, a military commander over one hundred men, came to Jesus asking for healing for a servant that was paralyzed and suffering at his home. Jesus told him that He would come and heal him. (Matthew 8:5-12) But this centurion spoke a word of faith to Jesus that caused Jesus to marvel and declare the servant healed. This centurion asked Jesus just to speak a command to the affliction and that he understood that the paralysis would leave. The centurion understood authority as he was a man who himself was under authority. Under that authority, he exercised authority over those assigned to his unit. He simply spoke commands and the men obeyed him and did what he commanded.
Jesus marveled at this man’s understanding of authority and his faith in the spoken command of one in authority. He called His followers and proclaimed that this man had greater faith than any He had observed in Israel! Jesus warned the disciples and Jews that only those with genuine faith would enter the kingdom. Some who professed to have faith would lose out of their reward because their faith was not genuine. The centurion was rewarded with Jesus’ simple declaration. He could go on his way knowing that as he had believed, it was already done!
As first responders, we are those under authority of our assigned leaders. We are to obey the commands given to us and work within the established guidelines. If we are in command over an incident or response team, we must give clear instructions and trust those with us to obey. Respecting authority and exercising servant leadership are key elements to help us succeed and respond properly. As believers in Jesus, we are always under His authority. Remembering this and acting in faith on His Word can give us confidence that He will be present with us to fulfill His Word.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for establishing authority and being the Supreme Authority over all authority. Help me to respect those You have placed in authority and cooperate with them. Help me to exercise authority humbly as a servant leader to accomplish Your will. Amen.
Keeping mission focus!
Scripture reading for October 7: 2 Timothy 4
“”. . .preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suite their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Paul was writing for his last time from prison while awaiting beheading for preaching the Gospel. His son in the faith, Timothy was in Paul’s prayers and thoughts. He encouraged Timothy to continue the good fight of faith along the pattern he had modeled. Paul plainly called for Timothy to boldly and plainly preach the Word of God, doing the work of an evangelist. He warned him that some would have itching ears and would not accept God’s Word. Timothy was not to waver, even if suffering for preaching and teaching. This was part of the package. He was to fulfill the calling on his life as Paul was now finishing his race: strong in the faith.
Paul testified to Timothy of his confidence in his future reward. He had been assured of the crown of righteousness from the Lord, Himself. Jesus was the Righteous Judge Who would deal with each person in total righteousness and justice. Paul called Timothy to so live his life and run the race of faith that he too would receive the reward.
What insights from Paul’s last letter and advice to Timothy help you to set priorities in your own life? Are you confident in a reward from the Righteous Judge or concerned about facing Him? Does the promise of suffering for the Gospel and the possibility of martyrdom bring concern?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Paul’s clear witness of his confidence and faith in Your promises and Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness to preach the Word of God even in the face of rejection or persecution. With Paul and the faithful saints, I plan on standing by faith in the finished work of Jesus. Amen.
Transformed by grace and love!
Scripture reading for September 24: 1 Timothy 1
“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Jesus Christ.” 1 Timothy 1:8-14
Timothy pastored the church at Ephesus founded by Paul years earlier but now faced attacks from false teachers who were introducing Jewish law along with faith. Paul began by encouraging Timothy to stay true to the Gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. He must continue to teach sound doctrine and warn those who were deviating from the truth of God’s Word. Paul, a former Pharisee, told Timothy about the purpose of God’s law. It was given to reveal sin in those caught in sin, those who were lawless and disobedient. For increased clarity, Paul went over some of the disobedience that the law revealed. He pointed out those specifically mentioned in God’s law: disrespecting parents, murderers, sexually immoral, homosexuals, enslavers, liars, and perjurers.
Paul told Timothy that he, himself, had been a law-breaker and blasphemer of God as a religious Jew. Jesus confronted him and he repented. God then appointed him to service in spite of his law-breaking. In Christ Jesus and through the Gospel there is hope for all sinners to find grace. Paul received mercy and through Christ’s love and grace he came to faith and now served the God he had blasphemed! That is the message of overflowing love and grace through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary entrusted to all ministers and disciples of Jesus.
Are you grounded in the sound doctrine of the Gospel of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ? Have you ever tried to add your own human effort or works to help God save you? Have you been involved in any of the sins listed by Paul and felt that God could never use you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the revelation of Your love and mercy in Jesus Christ and His death for us on the cross. Thank you for sending faithful ministers of Your Word to instruct me in sound doctrine and faith and grace. Use me as You desire to teach others sound doctrine by my ministry and life. Amen.
Faith and Identification with Christ
Scripture reading for August 18: Galatians 2
“For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness was through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” Galatians 2:19-21
Paul explained to the Galatian believers how no one could be made righteous or be justified before God through the keeping of the law. The law involved personal effort and our work to keep it. However, through human effort to keep the law, no flesh can or will be justified. (Galatians 2:16) The law of God brought to light our sin nature but could not fix it. Paul explained it as dying to the law through trying to keep it. Human effort or good works will always fall short.
But now, through faith in Jesus Christ, Who Alone perfectly kept God’s law, we can now live for God and be justified. Paul described his death to the law as ‘being crucified with Christ.’ The old “Saul” who sought to kill Christ’s followers was now dead. But “Saul” now lived as Paul, made alive in Christ as a gift of His grace. Paul stated that if he could have earned righteousness through keeping the law, Christ’s death would have been in vain–of no value. But the true world view Paul now held was of eternal life through Christ living in him. By grace through faith in the one true Gospel, he had been justified before God and made righteous. Any attempt to add human works nullifies God’s Gift of grace!
Have you ever tried to keep God’s law or a set of rules to earn your acceptance with God? Have you identified with Jesus Christ so that you can personally make Paul’s confession of faith in Galatians 2:20? What does it mean to ‘nullify the grace of God?’
Prayer: Father God, I believe that I was crucified with Jesus Christ, Your Son. I believe that I was resurrected with Jesus as He arose from the grave. The life I now live is by faith in Jesus Christ Alone and His Gift of righteousness. Keep me safe from ever nullifying Your amazing grace! Amen.
The One true Gospel!
Scripture reading for August 15: Galatians 1
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him Who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–not there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-10
Paul was called to plant churches among the Gentiles and on his first missionary journey had planted the church in Galatia. Paul was now writing to the believers there to correct their world view and refocus them on the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he had originally preached to them and by which they had been saved. False teachers were adding to the true Gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. These false teachers were perverting the true Gospel message with the addition of the Jewish laws and traditions. These teachings had found some acceptance and some were leaving the church to follow the lies from these false teachers.
Paul stated plainly that there was only one true Gospel of Jesus Christ. That Gospel message called sinners to repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Son of God, through His body and blood. As people repented and believed, God by grace declared them righteous and gifted them His Holy Spirit. Anyone preaching a different ‘gospel’ was actually under a curse. Paul could have tried to please men and overlooked the false teaching or said it didn’t matter. But Paul was not called to appease men but to please God through obedient faith. He was a true servant of Christ and not a false teacher! He had received His Gospel from Jesus Christ Himself. It wasn’t from man or man’s idea.
In our culture of many churches, voices, and philosophies of religion, how do you know which is the one true ‘Gospel’? Have you ever followed a church or church leader who actually led you astray away from the true Gospel? Are you confident today that you have believed the true Gospel and are truly saved?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending me true Christ-followers who faithfully represented the true Gospel of salvation by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and a hunger for Truth so that I might walk in holy discernment and preach the true Gospel to all! Amen.
A deceptive world view!
Scripture reading for July 14: 1 Corinthians 6
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, not thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, your were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Many people, even in the church, have bought into the idea of universal salvation. They posit that God is a God of love and mercy and He wants no one to be lost. They love the idea of grace as they see it. To them, God’s love causes Him to overlook sins like idolatry and sexual immorality and drunkenness. They profess to believe that Jesus paid the debt for all sin, and a one-time confession is your ticket to eternal life in God’s kingdom. It was no different in Paul’s day and he wrote to the church to enlarge their world view with the truth of Scripture.
Paul taught them that no unrighteous person would inherit the kingdom. He went on to define ‘unrighteousness’ as sexual immorality of all sorts, greed, drunkenness, thieves and swindlers, and the like. He emphasized that all people were involved in these sins of law-breaking and unrighteousness. The only way anyone could be freed from these sins was through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and the washing of His blood that brought justification. The Holy Spirit brings the conviction of sin and our need of righteousness and the coming judgment. That same Spirit indwells believers and leads them in the ongoing process of sanctification. We respond in humility and faith and are given the gift of righteousness in Jesus our Lord.
Have you ever held the world view of universal salvation? How do you presently view those in our culture involved in gross immorality, drunkenness or greed? How do you think that Jesus might direct you to reach out to those who are under deception and a sinful world view?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You do want all people to be saved and come to the truth in Jesus Christ our Lord. Reveal any deception in my life today and draw me to repentance and faith. Use me to illustrate righteous living for those in darkness deception. May none be lost but all repent. Amen.