BibleTrekToday.com

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.

The clash of kingdoms

Scripture reading for February 5: Matthew 26

“But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in His face and struck Him. And some slapped Him, saying “Prophesy to us, You Christ! Who is it that struck you?”” Matthew 26:63-68

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the throne-room of heaven to do His Father’s will. He had faced every temptation and lure of the culture and His own flesh through the incarnation and becoming a man. Yet He came in humble obedience to His Father and knew that He would return to that position of power and glory that belonged to Him. He also knew He must face the cross and the false accusations of His own people and their mockery of His revelation of His Father and the demonstration of God’s love. Jesus was fully aware of the clash of the kingdoms in the spirit realm. Sinful man, under the domination of Satan, was mocking His Truth and Sonship. God the Father had declared His Sonship and victory over Satan and death through the cross.

Jesus Christ, during this mockery of a trial before the Jewish high priest, was asked mockingly if He was indeed the Son of God, the Christ. Jesus declared that they had said that. He went on to declare His coming victory over death and His resurrection to His rightful place at God’s right hand. He also declared His coming again with clouds of glory! Jesus declared truth as He was the Truth! Those trying Him rejected truth and believed their own darkened lie in spite of all evidence from the life of Jesus Christ and His ministry of miracles and prophecy. They mocked, spit, cursed, and slapped the Son of God and soon crucified Him. This was the clash of the kingdoms of heaven and Satan.

As you read this account, in what ways have you experienced this ‘clash of kingdoms’ in your own life? Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, or just another imposter? Are you ready to see Jesus coming on the clouds and to face Him on His judgment seat?

Prayer: Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Thank You for mercy and favor. I am trusting in the victory that Jesus won for me, defeating Satan and saving me from the penalty of my sin–death and hell. Your kingdom come! Your will be done! On earth as in heaven! In me! Now and forever! Amen!

Fishing for men?

Scripture reading for January 6: Matthew 4

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” Matthew 4:17-20

Jesus loved to challenge the world-views of those He came in contact with. His preaching message was a call to change minds, hearts, and actions: “Repent!” This was not something in the future Jesus was speaking about. In His own Life was the immediate presence of the kingdom of heaven and He was the King! Matthew, who himself had repented and followed Jesus, recorded Jesus’ call to follow given to two ordinary fishermen who were busy casting a net in a family fishing business. These young men heard the call of Jesus and had to adjust their thinking from catching fish to catching men with a Gospel net! I am sure that they did not understand all that would be required of them. But child-like faith to fearlessly respond to Jesus’ new challenge to their calling brought them into a new life and eternal rewards!

I had this call in my life as well. I was a successful farmer raising crops, cattle and pigs when Jesus reaffirmed His call to me to preach His Word. I chose to ‘repent’ and follow, not knowing all that would be required. My ‘immediate’ response took several years, but following Jesus Christ has totally expanded my world and enriched my life beyond measure! I am thankful for His patience and gentleness!

Have you heard the call of Jesus to repent and follow? What response have you given Him? How does your present world-view help or hinder you from responding immediately?

Prayer: Father, thank You for expanding my world-view from my own selfish interests to see Your plan tor reach all people with the Good News of a Savior Jesus Christ and eternal life. Teach me how to fish for men and guide me each day to the best fishing spots. Amen.

Words no one wants to hear!

Scripture reading for April 14th: Matthew 7, Psalm 75, Proverbs 13

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?’ And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.””

As Jesus concluded His teaching on the blessed life of the kingdom, He warned His followers against going through the motions with outward show but lacking a true relationship with God through grace and faith. At the final judgment, many would come expecting a reward, only to be declared unfit to enter into the Father’s kingdom and eternal inheritance. They would call Jesus their ‘Lord’, but Jesus would declare that He never was personally acquainted with them. All their ‘good’ religious works were done to please others or earn favor with God. God has an appointed judgment and He will execute judgment with perfect equity. He has forewarned us about presumption and religious performance.

Psalm 75:1, 6-7 “”At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.” . . . “For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God Who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your perfect love and also for promised perfect justice. I humbly ask You for mercy through faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. I invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in me and guide me in Your ways and in deepening knowledge and relationship with You. May none of my family, friends or neighbors hear the fearful declaration: ‘I never knew you.’

Proverbs 13:14 “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Preaching in the land of darkness!

Scripture reading for July 2nd: Matthew 4

Key Scriptures: Matthew 4:12-17 “Now when He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth He went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, and in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles–the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and the shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””

Jesus Christ heard that John the Baptist had been arrested by King Herod for preaching repentance and confronting Herod’s sinful sexual life. Jesus withdrew to His own childhood region of Israel but moved to another town from Nazareth, Capernaum by the sea. This area was on a trade route where peoples from all over the world would visit on their way to trade in other parts of the world. It was known as “Galilee of the Gentiles” but had been the home property given to Zebulun and Naphtali, tribes of Israel. Isaiah the Prophet had spoken about this area in Isaiah 9:1-2, about 700 years before Christ’s birth. Jesus began preaching right where John the Baptist left off. He began where the land of the Jews was particularly darkened by the shadow of death and brought great light by preaching the Word of God. God’s Word would bring deliverance from death and its dark shadow and the dawning of a new day! Herod’s kingdom of darkness and death would be overcome by the kingdom of Light!

Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon You, and His glory will be seen upon You. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of Your rising.”

Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to light up my world of darkness! Thank You for loving Gentiles as You loved Jews. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Your light shines through me. Let the preaching of repentance, faith and miracles of healing flow through my life and today’s ministry opportunities.

Matthew 4:23-24 “And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them.”

Bring those children to Jesus!

Scripture reading for January 25th:  Matthew 19, Psalm 19, Prov. 19

Key Scriptures:  Matthew 19:13-15  “Then children were brought to Him that He might lay His hands on them and pray.  The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven”  And He laid His hands on them and went away.”

Jesus’ disciples tried to shield their Master from what they considered trivial ministry.  Children were not high on their priorities.  But Jesus rebuked them for rebuking the people bringing their children for prayer and blessing.  According to Jesus, the kingdom of heaven belonged to children because of their simple faith.  He gladly blessed them and prayed over them.  Children must learn early to come to Jesus for His blessing.

Faith’s confession:  Lord, I thank You that children are those that You want to be brought to You at an early age.  I will seek to bring my children and grandchildren to You each day for blessing and guidance.  (Action step:  Take time today to pray for the children in you life, asking Jesus to bless them and keep them from harm.)

Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”  

Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?

Scripture reading for January 19th:  Matthew 13

The Jews of Jesus’ day had a hard time figuring Him out!  He spoke to them with great wisdom and taught with authority.  He confounded the religious scholars of His day and they ended up seeking to kill Him!   He told parables that spoke plainly to those with ears to hear and seeking hearts but were meaningless to those who were proud and judgmental.  (Matthew 13:11-15)

Parables are stories that relay information at different levels of understanding, depending on the desire of the person to understand truth.  The disciples asked Him to explain why he used them.  “He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” ”  (Matthew 13:11)   Parables reveal truth to seekers, but hide truth from the hard of heart.  The parable of the sower was all about the sowing of the Word of God and the types of hearts that would not receive or would receive and produce fruit.  Those who received the Word would be like the good soil and produce a harvest!

He told a number of other parables and then went to His hometown to teach in the synagogue.  The people were amazed.  “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.  “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?  Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?  Aren’t His sisters with us?  Were did this man get all these things?”  And they took offense at Him.” (Matthew 13:54-56)  Knowing Jesus as He really is requires more than a genealogy and answers to questions!   We must be open to truth about the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus could do no great miracles there because of their unbelief!  Is your heart “good ground?”