Tag: today is the day
Don’t be unequally yoked!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 2nd Corinthians 6
God has called those who believe on His Son, Jesus Christ, to a life that is separated from sin and set apart for Him and His will. There are only two groups of people in the world–the redeemed and the lost! The Corinthians had been redeemed from a pagan cultural system where idolatry and worldly ways drew many people into deep bondage and darkness. They needed a strong word of instruction to keep them moving towards Jesus!
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-15) Paul used a questioning technique that was common to the rabbinical teaching of his day to draw the church members into thinking about their ways. They had been redeemed from the worldly culture of their day, but many were still yoked in unholy relationships and business partnerships. These partnerships could possibly lead these believers back into the world and Paul the pastor was warning them!
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord, “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.” (2nd Corinthians 6:16-18) God’s precious promises and call to holiness should motivate us to please Him. We must live separated lives and still reach out to the lost of the world to bring the Gospel of Christ to them.
The best day to get saved!
Scripture reading for September 2nd: 2nd Corinthians 6:1-13
When many people hear the plea of one of Christ’s ambassadors: “Be reconciled to God!”, they make excuses as to why they are not yet ready. Some may feel that they have many things in the world that they want to do and see, and they don’t want God interfering. Others may have pet sins that they know God would ask them to give up. Their consciences have already been convicting them, but the sin is bringing them too much temporary pleasure. Others feel that they are young yet, and that religion is for old people who are near death. When they get older, then they will consider Christ’s plea for reconciliation. Still others feel that they are ‘good’. There are many others who are worse ‘sinners’ and God surely knows that they are trying to do good works. It is easy to find justification!
“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2nd Corinthians 6:1-2) It is possible to hear the message of the Gospel of God’s grace and receive it in vain! Failure to respond with personal faith and trust actually makes you more liable for God’s wrath and judgment. To whom much is given, much is required! Paul urged those at Corinth to respond when they had the opportunity. “Today” was the best day and the right time because no one could guarantee themselves a “tomorrow”!
Paul continued his plea for these Corinthian’s reconciliation by explaining his own efforts to offer the message of reconciliation to them and not cause them to stumble. He had loved them sincerely and spoken the truth to them at every turn. He had worked hard to provide for himself and suffered for their sake to provide what they needed in an example of Christ’s love. (2nd Corinthians 5:3-10) Paul had opened his heart to them and demonstrated Christ’s love.
In spite of all this, the Corinthians were withholding their love to Paul and many had not opened their hearts. As you examine your heart, where are you with your response to Christ’s plea? Today is the best day to open your heart!
The day of the Lord is near!
Scripture reading for August 24th: Ezekiel 29-32
One of the bad habits that Israel had developed was a dependence on Egypt for help. After Moses led them out of Egypt by God’s powerful hand, they talked of stoning him and choosing a new leader who would take them back. They easily forgot that Egypt was a land of slavery and God had called them out of there. Even after Babylon had conquered the nation of Israel, a remnant left there in Israel chose to go down to Egypt for protection against the advice of Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 42:19-22) (Jeremiah 43:7) In Ezekiel 29 God gave Ezekiel a prophetic word concerning Egypt and Pharaoh. God warned that their pride would bring judgment and defeat. God was bringing a sword against them that would leave the land of Egypt desolate for forty years. (Ezekiel 29:8-12) After forty years, God would bring a remnant of Egyptians back and they would be a lowly kingdom. Israel was to learn not to rely on Egypt ever again and that the Lord was sovereign over nations. (Ezekiel 29:16)
The prophet Ezekiel announced that the day of the Lord was near. That day would be a day of clouds and darkness. It would be a day of doom for the nations that Ezekiel had spoken about. A sword would arise from Babylon that would bring destruction on Egypt and her surrounding friends. (Ezekiel 30:1-4) This “day of the Lord” came to these people during the lifetime of Ezekiel. Egypt went into captivity; Israel, Cush, and Tyre were destroyed as well.
When we hear the message about the “day of the Lord” and “the end”, we tend to think they are a long way off. We believe that they apply to a distant time, possibly be thousands of years away and surely not in our lifetime. However, we should be living as if today was the day! We are told to live in readiness for Christ’s return. (Matthew 22:42-44) We are told that no one will know the day or hour, but that we should be watchful and prepared. (Matthew 24:36) For those who are ready by faith in Jesus Christ, it will be a day of joy and gladness. For those who experience this day outside of God’s mercy, it will be darkness, trouble and doom. The ‘Day of the Lord’ is nearer today than yesterday! Are you ready?
Today is the best day!
Scripture reading for September 2nd: 2nd Corinthians 6:1-13
When many people hear the plea of one of Christ’s ambassadors: “Be reconciled to God!”, they make excuses as to why they are not yet ready. Some may feel that they have many things in the world that they want to do and see, and they don’t want God interfering. Others may have pet sins that they know God would ask them to give up. Their consciences have already been convicting them, but the sin is bringing them too much temporary pleasure. Others feel that they are young yet, and that religion is for old people who are near death. When they get older, then they will consider Christ’s plea for reconciliation. Still others feel that they are ‘good’. There are many others who are worse ‘sinners’ and God surely knows that they are trying to do good works. It is easy to find justification!
“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2nd Corinthians 6:1-2) It is possible to hear the message of the Gospel of God’s grace and receive it in vain! Failure to respond with a personal faith and trust actually makes you more liable for God’s wrath and judgment. To whom much is given, much is required! Paul urged those at Corinth to respond when they had the opportunity. “Today” was the best day and the right time because no one could guarantee themselves a “tomorrow”!
Paul continued his plea for these Corinthian’s reconciliation by explaining his own efforts to offer the message of reconciliation to them and not cause them to stumble. He had loved them sincerely and spoken the truth to them at every turn. He had worked hard to provide for himself and suffered for their sake to provide what they needed in an example of Christ’s love. (2nd Corinthians 5:3-10) Paul had opened his heart to them and demonstrated Christ’s love.
In spite of all this, the Corinthians were withholding their love to Paul and many had not opened their hearts. As you examine your heart, where are you with your response to Christ’s plea? Today is the best day to open your heart!
Fixing Your Thoughts
Scripture reading for December 12th: Hebrews 3-4
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor that Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.” Hebrews 3:1-3
How we need to fix our thoughts today! There is so much confusion from this world bombarding us with it’s worries, demands, and fears. The Bible is clear about where to fix our thoughts–on Jesus Christ! By focusing on Jesus we can have rest from worry, fear, and religious works that try to gain God’s favor. We can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ to bring us into God’s glorious rest!
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest that we confess. Jesus is the one sent by God to this earth to bring good news. He is the good news from the Father! He rose from the dead and became a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:8-10) His perfect obedience enabled Him to be made perfect through suffering death on a cross for our sins. He is a great High Priest who knows what we are going through and how to come to our aid! (Hebrews 4:14-16) He lives forever and never sleeps. He can intercede for us day or night. His priestly ministry is always available and we have access by His own blood!
Jesus is greater than Moses, who led the people out of Egypt and gave them the law of God. Moses was supposed to lead the people into the promised land, but the people rebelled. They would not listen to God’s Word and rebelled. Their unbelief kept them from their inheritance! (Hebrews 3:19)
Jesus is greater than Joshua who also failed to lead God’s people to the full conquest of the promised land. Jesus ushers each of us into a new day–today! (Hebrews 4:6-7) We can enter the rest by faith in Him! As we hear His voice and respond in faith to His word, we rest from our religious works and place our full trust on God’s provision through Jesus Christ!
This theme of rest is one of my favorites! I have been programmed to work for everything all my life. I must be diligent to enter this rest by placing my faith in Christ’s work for me. It takes humility and respect for God’s sovereign plan to enter in. What a glorious rest! Today is the day if you need real rest! Share this rest with someone close to you!