The Biblical Path of Life

Category: Picture with verse and blog

  • The Witnesses

    “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

    Luke 2:11

    In Malachi, attention was brought to the fact that God recognized those few who truly feared God, rejected the sin, and obeyed His commands. “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16). God not only saw them, He heard them. God knew them and wrote of them in a special book of remembrance. These people obviously loved God and sought to know Him more – for they thought upon His name. Remember that the things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. When one continually thinks upon God, God will continually be in that heart and mind. They were to remember to look for the One God promised from the beginning (see Genesis 3:15). Those people “spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it” (Malachi 3:16a). They encouraged each other often, and God heard.

    As we come to the New Testament after about four hundred years of no new word from God, understand that there were still a few people who truly feared God and thought upon His name. Recognize a few who either heard or witnessed the birth of the One who had been promised throughout the Old Testament: Jesus.

    In Luke, Zacharias and Elizabeth learned they would have a child born to them in their very old age. This child, John, would be the one “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (see Luke 1:17). The Lord was Jesus, the One promised in the Old Testament.

    An angel came to Mary telling her that she had “found favour with God.” Mary would bring forth a son, and call his name Jesus, “the Son of the Highest” (see Luke 1:26-38). Her reply? “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38a). She chose to obey God’s plan.

    Mary visited Elizabeth (see Luke 1:39-45). Elizabeth recognized Mary was carrying the child Jesus (before He was born).

    In Matthew, we are introduced to a man named Joseph, espoused to a young virgin named Mary. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:18). Joseph wanted to “put her away privily.” However, as he thought on these things, an angel came to Joseph and told him what was happening (see Matthew 1:18-25). Joseph chose to obey God’s plan.

    Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem (per the decree of Caesar Augustus) where Jesus was born (see Luke 2:1-7). Angels told the shepherds in the fields who were watching their sheep, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). They were told where to find Him. What did the shepherds do? “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us” (Luke 2:15). They chose to go see Jesus for themselves. “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16). They found Jesus, and they told everyone (see Luke 2:17-18).

    Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple when He was eight days old (according to the Law). Simeon went to the Temple that day (see Luke 2:21-35). He recognized that the baby, Jesus, was the Lord’s Christ (Messiah). What was his reaction? “30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32). Simeon recognized Jesus, the Messiah.

    Anna came in that instant (see Luke 2:36-38). “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” Luke 2:38). Anna recognized and acknowledged Jesus.

    In Matthew, we are introduced to many people: wise men, Herod the king, all Jerusalem, chief priests, and scribes (see Matthew 2:1-12). The wise men were looking for the new king who was born. The chief priests and scribes told them He would be born in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:5-6). Although all heard where the new king would be born (wise men, Herod the king, all Jerusalem, chief priests, and scribes), only the wise men went to see Jesus where they fell down and worshiped Him (see Matthew 2:11). The wise men recognized Jesus.

    Many heard of Jesus. Only a few recognized just Who Jesus is. Each one of them had the choice: to believe, or to not believe in Jesus, God’s Son. Remember what Jesus said. “16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

    Have you only heard of Jesus?

    Or

    Have you recognized Jesus, God’s Son, believing upon Him for salvation?

    What to to when you believe upon Jesus.

  • A Life to Live

    “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

    1 Thessalonians 2:12

    Often times when people begin a new year, they take evaluation of the previous year. Some people make what we call “New Year’s Resolutions”, hoping to improve their lives in the coming year. Instead of following a common tradition, consider the following thoughts.

    If you profess Jesus as Lord of your life, what does this mean to you? Have you truly made Him “Lord” of your life? The word Lord means “supreme in authority, that is, (as noun) controller”. Is Jesus the supreme authority in your life? Is Jesus the controller of your life (thoughts, activities, etc.)?

    Consider the following hymn written by Isaac Watts over 300 years ago. As you read, recognize that he understood the concept of living a life with Jesus as the Lord of his life.

    When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

    Author: Isaac Watts (1707)

    “1. When I survey the wondrous cross
    on which the Prince of glory died,
    my richest gain I count but loss,
    and pour contempt on all my pride.

    2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
    save in the death of Christ, my God!
    All the vain things that charm me most,
    I sacrifice them through his blood.

    3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
    sorrow and love flow mingled down.
    Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
    or thorns compose so rich a crown?

    4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
    that were a present far too small.
    Love so amazing, so divine,
    demands my soul, my life, my all.”

    Knowing that Jesus left His throne in glory to come to earth and take each one’s sin and punishment (upon that wondrous cross) should call all Christians to action. The final thought in this hymn should bring one to a time of reckoning within that heart: the least I can give to my Lord is my all – for I was bought with a great price.

    After reading this hymn, see if any verses come to mind to help you understand the importance of truly living a life as one who understands that Jesus is to be Lord (supreme in authority and controller) of that life. I will give you a few to help you begin to think of verses calling you to make Jesus the actual Lord of your life:

    “14. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-17). (It would also be good to read the short books of 2 John and 3 John four encouragement.)

    “19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

    “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). Also check out Romans 8:5-8 to remember to be spiritually minded.

    The Bible is full of verses to encourage Christians to make Jesus the actual Lord of one’s life.

    Have you contemplated your live and found ways to genuinely make Jesus the rightful Lord of your life?

  • The Messenger and His Message

    “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

    John 1:29

    God always keeps His promises. He promised from the beginning of time to send One who would deliver man from the bondage of sin and death (see Genesis 3:15). All throughout the Old Testament, one can read that God constantly reminded His people of that promise. When you study the Old Testament, you should recognize that God even added more clues to the specific details of that coming all throughout the Old Testament – so the people would be watching and waiting for that day. Specifically, so that they would recognize Jesus once He came. Read again how the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, reminds us of that promise. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts”(Malachi 3:1). God revealed that He would send a special messenger to prepare the way before God, Himself, came born as Jesus. My messenger was “John the Baptist;” and the Lord, whom they seek, was “Jesus.” God compared the coming of Jesus with “a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” (see Malachi 3:2). A refiner’s fire means “a precious metal that was heated until it became a liquid so that all of the impurities could rise to the top to be removed.” A fullers’ soap means “used to rub and scrub clothing until the stains were washed away.” Each of these can be compared to what Jesus would do when he came – remove the impurities and sin from man.

    Read another clue God’s people were to look for. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). God told His people of “Elijah the Prophet” (the Messenger) who would come. About four hundred years passed between the Old Testament and New Testament writings. As you come to the New Testament, we are to recognize that God sent a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord – just as He promised He would do. In Luke 1, we read of an angel appearing to a priest, Zacharias, who told him that he and his aged wife would have a son, John. Notice the special son that this would be. “13. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John … 15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord … 16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17). Understand that Elijah is spelled Elias in the New Testament. The son named John is who we have come to know as John the Baptist – for he preached and “baptized” repentance.

    “29. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water” (John 1:29-31). Jesus came just as God promised. John introduced Him. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Understand that when Jesus came, He was as a refiner’s fire. Jesus and His Words purified some people, while others rejected Jesus’ Words. However, everyone heard of Him. “And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:28). If nothing else, Jesus draws man to a time of decision.

    The most important thing to recognize about this information can be summed up best by the words John recorded for us to read. “6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:6-12). John did the job God had for him to do. He was a witness who told others of the Light, Jesus (see John 8:12). Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by Him, yet the majority of God’s people did not recognize or acknowledge Jesus when he came. However, those who did receive Jesus as the One promised from the beginning and believed upon Him, became the sons of God.

    Have you done more than heard of Jesus?

    Have you acknowledged and believed upon Jesus, becoming a child of God?

    How to be saved link.

  • Grace, Unearned and Unmerited Favor

    “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God”

    Luke 1:30

    Every Christmas, we remember “The Christmas Story” of Jesus birth. Have you ever considered the amazing events that took place only nine months earlier?

    We are introduced to a remarkable young woman in the book of Luke. God sent an angel to give her a special message. “28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God” (Luke 1:28-30). There are a few interesting things to consider. The words “highly favoured” mean “to be acceptable, favored, highly favored as in Luke 1:28 meaning to bestow grace upon … It really does not mean to show favor to, but to give grace to, since Mary was to bear Jesus Christ, the whole treasure of God’s grace, in her womb.” God found Mary as one acceptable upon whom He could bestow His grace. Did you note that God was placing “Jesus Christ, the whole treasure of God’s grace, in her womb”? She could not possibly have understood the actual implications of these words. God saw her character, describing her in this manner, and found in her one to shed his grace.

    God had not only taken notice of Mary, but the Lord would be with her. Notice her reaction to the understanding that God saw her, took note of her, and that she would be given grace (highly favoured) from God: “she was troubled at his saying”. The words she was troubled mean “to disturb wholly, that is, agitate (with alarm): trouble”. This thought disturbed her a bit. Consider for a minute that we know God sees and knows all. However, most people would be a bit troubled at the thought that God was watching, recognized, and set you apart (in particular) to send you a special message from an angel. That would be unnerving enough! When the implications of this reached Mary, the angel told her to “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” The word favour means “favor, acceptance, grace … unearned and unmerited favor.” Take note that This “grace” would enable her to perform the task that God was placing before her. The words favour and grace are often interchangeable in the Bible.

    What was the message from the angel? “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” (Luke 1:31). God was sending the One promised from the beginning of time. Mary did not understand how this could happen, so she asked a question. “34. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God… 37. For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:34-35, 37). Mary would have to do nothing except believe that God would do what God said He would do. Her response is quite famous: “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Her answer portrayed the character that God saw in her. She responded in the affirmative to God.

    We find that when Jesus was born, grace had come, and He is now available to anyone who will believe. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). It is revealed in “the Word” which is Jesus. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

    Today, God still calls people in His grace (“unearned and unmerited favor.”). “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The word grace in this verse means the same as the word favour in Luke 1:30: “unearned and unmerited favor.” One is saved by grace: unearned and unmerited favor. God provides the grace, we believe by faith. We can do nothing else but believe upon the one that God sent: His only Son, Jesus. “16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16).

    When God called Mary, she responded in the affirmative to God. When God calls individuals today to give to them “unearned and unmerited favor”, each one should respond in the affirmative to that call. It is only then that one can be saved through faith in Jesus. No one can do anything to be saved, one must just believe and receive.

    Have you heard the invitation from God to receive His grace, only available by faith in Jesus?

    What to do when you hear the invitation to receive His grace: How to be saved.

  • A Book of Remembrance

    “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

    Malachi 3:16

    God sent Malachi with a message for His people, beginning with the priests who were just practicing a religion and not serving God according to His Word. The priests, and then the people, had fallen into sin once again. Malachi addressed many of the same sins that Nehemiah dealt with in the lives of God’s people.

    God had Malachi remind the Jews of the great love God had for His people. Yet, God’s people were not living as His people – for they sinned and did not even recognize how great their sin had become. Malachi’s burden was to reveal to the people just how far from God they had fallen.

    One important thing God wanted the people to understand was written in the second chapter. “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart” (Malachi 2:2). Not only would they not hear God, they had not taken His Words to heart: “if ye will not lay it to heart”. The things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. So much so that these are the things that make one who they are (as in character, beliefs, attitudes, actions, etc.). This verse was directed to the priests in Malachi’s day. This means that they were not allowing God’s Word to enter into their hearts, making a difference in their lives. Because they had not heard or laid to heart God’s Word, they were in a sinful condition before God. The priests thought they were doing fine because they practiced a religious system, but God knew the condition of their hearts. Because of the condition of the priests, the people in like manner, were also in sin.

    Some of the blatant sins of the day were listed in Malachi. In the midst of that list, see what God said, “… Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts …” (Malachi 3:7b). God continually extended an invitation for the people to return to God, in repentance and change of heart, and God would return to His people. If they would return to God, obeying His commands, God’s people would not be able to contain the blessings He had in store for them.

    During this time, there were still a few people who truly feared God. God recognized those few who rejected the sin and obeyed God’s commands. “16. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:16-17). God not only saw them, He heard them. They are His “jewels” for they belong to Him. God knew them and wrote of them in a special book of remembrance. These people obviously loved God and sought to know Him more – for they thought upon His name. Remember that the things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. So much so that these are the things that make one who they are (as in character, beliefs, attitudes, actions, etc.). When one continually thinks on God, God will continually be in that heart and mind. That is when a change in one’s life can take place. Those that God saw that still feared Him, “spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it” (Malachi 3:16a). They obviously encouraged each other often, and God heard.

    This is a good thing to remember today. Much encouragement comes from sharing with others who also fear and serve God. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). God does not expect us to “go it alone”. We learn to not commune with evil ones, for they will corrupt our lives (“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” 1 Corinthians 15:33). Instead, we are to fellowship with those who walk in the light (because Jesus is the Light). “5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. … 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:5, 7). God gives Christians with whom to fellowship and grow in Christ.

    As we read in Malachi, God keeps a “book of remembrance” of those who trust in God, fear Him, think on Him, and speak often with one another. One day, God will “open the books” (see Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 20:12). What do you want God to have written about you?

    Are you one who has “feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” becoming more like Him?

  • Faithfully Follow

    “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

    Matthew 16:24-25

    Nehemiah helped rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem, reinforcing the city. Not only that, but many times the enemy’s plans were thwarted, and God’s people were able to complete the walls in fifty-two days.

    Once the city was reinforced and protected, it was time to organize the people. Nehemiah appointed jobs to people and selected men to be rulers in the city. He taught them of the importance of appointing guards to protect the gates of the city, controlling what was allowed inside Jerusalem. The people gathered together and asked Ezra to read the book of the Law to them. After hearing God’s Words, the people recognized their sin, repented, and began to live according to God’s Word. This was followed with a time of prayer. After acknowledging their sin, they made a covenant with God to obey His commands.

    Nehemiah returned to Shushan to serve the king again – just as he had promised. After a short time, he returned to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he saw much sin – beginning in the house of the Lord. Eliashib, the priest, was friends with Tobiah (their adversary) and had allowed him to move into the Temple. The Levites were working outside of the city instead of taking care of the house of the Lord. The people were working, buying, and selling on the Sabbath – breaking God’s commands. They had intermarried with the nations around, again; for the high priest’s own grandson had married the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of God’s people. Nehemiah confronted the people and their sin. He warned the people of the great evil to transgress against God. The sin was corrected. Nehemiah prayed for God’s people. Take time to recognize just how often Nehemiah prayed. Knowing God’s Word and prayer are key in living right before God.

    One of the truly sad parts of the book of Nehemiah is that without the constant reproof and the presence of Nehemiah, the people did not continually obey God. They quickly forgot God’s Word, reverting back into their comfortable lifestyles – living however they wanted. If Christians are not careful, we too, will enter into that same trap that the Israelites fell into once they returned to Jerusalem. Christians tend to see and become part of the world in which we live – contrary to Biblical teachings. “15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17). We are warned, and then encouraged to do the will of God.

    Christians are to remember what Jesus taught. “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26). It is important for Christians to deny themselves and follow Jesus – daily!

    Christians today have a great advantage that God’s people did not have in the Old Testament. Each person who gives their heart and life to Jesus has God’s Spirit given to them – to teach them right from wrong. The people in Jerusalem had Nehemiah. Nevertheless, when he left, they forgot. God’s Spirit, that Jesus called the Comforter, never leaves a Christian – so we should never forget. Remember what Jesus told His disciples. “15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17.Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17). That Comforter Jesus gave enables us to obey God’s commandments written in the Bible. We have no excuse!

    What should motivate Christians to please Jesus in all we do? “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). It would be good to remember what Jesus prayed for his disciples on that last night in the garden. “14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). Christians, today, have God’s Word and His Spirit. We must remember that we are not of this world, just as Jesus is not of this world.

    Do you pray often, choosing to deny the things of the world and faithfully follow Jesus?

  • Who are You?

    “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

    Romans 8:1

    Are you a natural man? The natural man see the things in this earth. Decisions are based upon what is seen or felt. Usually, one considers the abilities one has to accomplish things. The natural man is in the likeness of Adam. “1. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” (Genesis 5:1, 3). Did you notice something in those verses? When God made man, He made him in God’s image. However, after man sinned in the garden, his children were after his image – no longer perfect, but now sinful men. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Everyone is born as a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, there is hope. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Adam disobeyed God, bringing sin upon all of mankind. God gave One who was perfect, His only Son, who was obedient to God. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus paid the penalty for sin – for anyone who would just believe. “16.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). That is the only work one can do to have the penalty for sin removed. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). Believe on Jesus.

    Once one believes on Jesus, having the condemnation of sin removed, we are taught to do something different. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). One can no longer walk in the flesh as a natural man. We are taught to walk after the Spirit. There is a difference. When one has committed that life to Jesus, there is a change of thought and direction. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). This Christian chooses the things of the Spirit.

    Why is this so important? “6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God… 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:6-9). Each person must look into their heart and life to see if they have truly given that life to God by accepting Jesus. It is then one receives His Spirit, enabling one to live a life that is “spiritually minded”. Without Christ, one remains a natural man, unable to please God, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

    Once you know without a doubt you belong to Jesus and are “spiritually minded”, there is another question that must be asked. Are you a growing Christian? “1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3. For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). One who is not a growing Christian can only understand the simplest things about the Bible and the Christian life. To grow, one must read God’s Word and exercise that Christian life. Remember what Paul told Timothy: “6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:6-8). Christians are to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” and exercise unto godliness which is “profitable unto all things”. Choose to be a spiritual Christian, nourished in faith and good doctrine, and then exercise unto godliness.

    Who are you? A natural man who cannot please God?

    Or

    Are you a spiritual man who is nourished on God’s Word and exercises unto godliness?

    How to become a spiritual man: How to be saved

  • Don’t Quit

    “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

    Galatians 6:9

    God stirred the heart of Cyrus to send His people home (to Jerusalem) to rebuild the house of the Lord. The first group to return to Jerusalem was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David.

    Once they reached Jerusalem, Zerubbabel remained a leader, and Joshua was the high priest. These two men led the people to rebuild the altar of the Lord. They then began to rebuild the Temple. However, when they completed the foundation, the troubles began.

    Do you remember what happens when God’s people begin to serve God? The adversaries make themselves known. “1. Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; 2. Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do…” (Ezra 4:1-2). Adversaries means “one who troubles; an opponent; or an enemy.” Once the work of God had begun, the adversaries made themselves known. However, Zerubbabel recognized that they were not for God so he would not allow them to help. Although they declared they wanted to “help”, they were not trying to help the work of God. They were trying to stop it. This was not a one-time trouble. They caused difficulties for years and years, stopping the building of the Temple – which was the ulterior motive (see Ezra 4:3-5). The adversaries’ purpose had been accomplished, and the building had been stopped (see Ezra 4:23-24).

    When the adversaries came and the building stopped, God sent His prophet, Haggai, to encourage the people to build the house of the Lord. First, he scolded them for living in their nice houses while the Temple of the Lord was not completed. He reminded the people to “consider your ways”, and that God was to come first (see Haggai 1:4-8). Haggai then encouraged the leaders to complete the Temple. Once the people began to obey, God encouraged them. “I am with you, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:13b).

    After the people decided to obey God, and God encouraged them that He would be with them, recognize what else God did for His people. “And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God” (Haggai 1:14). God did not leave His people alone. He stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua to lead the people. He even stirred the spirit of all the remnant. God understood that His people needed to have physical leaders that they could see, hear, and with whom they could communicate.

    God gave them the encouragement they needed. “Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:4). Three times God said to be strong. This is the same encouragement God gave to Joshua when he was preparing to lead the people into the promised land years earlier. The secret of Joshua’s successes was his faith in the Word of God (see Joshua 1:7-9), its’ commandments, and its’ promises. God’s Word to Joshua was “Be strong!”. This is the same message for His people today! See the following:

    • “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
    • “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10).
    • “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).

    God had specific words for the leaders. When the leaders acted upon those words, the people followed and the work began again. Zerubbabel, Joshua, the high priest, and the remnant of the people stepped up and began working on the Temple again – and God kept the enemy from stopping them.

    Just as the adversaries stopped the building of the Temple, even today, Christians have an adversary who is set about to stop the work of the Lord in this world. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

    Knowing Satan wants to defeat (and destroy) Christians, how can we survive his attacks? “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). When we submit to God and His will in our lives, we can defeat Satan.

    “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). We are to never quit serving God as the Israelites did when the adversary opposed them. We must not only recognize who the adversaries are that try to stop God’s work, but we must continue with what God has for us to do. God will also encourage us through His Word (the Bible) just as he encouraged the Israelites through His prophet, Haggai.

    Have you chosen to ignore your adversary, be encouraged through God’s Word, and complete the work God has for you?

  • Faithful Daniel

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

    2 Timothy 2:15

    Daniel was faithful to God throughout the captivity days of Judah in Babylon. Not only did God give him the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and interpreting dreams, but God also gave him many visions of what would happen in the future.

    Daniel read God’s Word that had already been recorded. As he read Jeremiah 25:11-12, he understood that it was a confirmation of a prophecy from Leviticus 26:33-35. He realized that God had promised that after seventy years, the captivity in Babylon would end, and God’s people would get to go home (see Daniel 9:2). Daniel also recognized that the captivity was because of the people’s sin. When Daniel read God’s plan, he understood God’s will for him. He did what God said to do; he prayed for forgiveness of sin. Read how his prayer began. “3. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4. And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5. We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments” (Daniel 9:3-5). Read Daniel 9:3-21 for the entire prayer. It was important that Daniel was in God’s will (to immediately repent and pray) so that he would be in a position for God to reveal Himself to him. It is after this prayer that God revealed to Daniel some of the most specific details about God’s plan of redemption.

    After recognizing that Daniel was a great student of God’s Word, we should realize that this was imperative in his understanding of what God was doing in his life and the life of his nation. The more he read God’s Word, the more God revealed understanding to Daniel. Daniel knew that God had a plan, and His plan would come to pass. Daniel is probably the most outstanding character of the Old Testament, yet we have recorded Daniel’s personal confession as he threw himself upon the mercy of Almighty God. The more holy a person is, the more that one will be more conscious of his unholiness. It is then one humbles himself completely before God. This is the condition one must be in to truly hear from God and recognize the plan God has for that life.

    Daniel understood God was moving in the lives of His people. He could do nothing to help, but he recognized the importance of praying according to God’s will. We are to recognize that God has a plan in this day. Although we might not see anything we can do in it, we do have a personal responsibility to pray that God’s will is done in all things. It may be then that God can reveal His specific plan for you.

    See only a few of the things that we should learn from the life of Daniel:

    • to be faithful to speak God’s Words to others;
    • to not compromise our walk with the Lord;
    • to trust God’s protection of our life while we serve Him;
    • to be faithful to read God’s written word (the Bible), knowing that God will reveal Himself and His plans to His people.

    Christians must be very careful to not become guilty of spiritual pride – too proud to confess our sin. It is necessary to continually examine our lives and make sure there is nothing hindering our fellowship and communion not only with God, but with His people. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Remember David. Although he sinned greatly (recorded for us to recognize), he had learned to repent and say “I have sinned” and he was known as a “man after God’s own heart” (see 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22).

    Throughout the Bible, we recognize a principle that the more we study God’s written Word, the more God gives us of His revelation. The more we exercise ourselves in knowing His will, the more He reveals His will to us. God reveals Himself and His plans to those who belong to Him – just as He did to Daniel. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). (See also 1 Corinthians 2:12-13.) Today, we need to read the Bible for answers.

    The events in lives of people recorded in the Bible are nothing if we do not turn them into personal examples of how God expects each and every one of His children to live. We can read about Daniel, acknowledging that God was able to use him mightily to reach kings of enemy nations, revealing God to them – all because Daniel was committed to reading God’s Word and to walk with God, daily.

    Daniel was truly a mighty example of a man who consistently walked with God.

    Do people recognize you as one who studies God’s Word and consistently walks according to His plan?

  • The Handwriting on the Wall

    “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;”

    Daniel 5:22

    Daniel was now an older man. King Nebuchadnezzar no longer ruled. A new king reigned in Babylon. His name was Belshazzar, and he was King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. We know little about him, except for the time he drank wine before his thousands. “1. Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein” (Daniel 5:1-2). Father in this verse means “grandfather.” King Belshazzar called for the vessels from the house of the Lord to be brought to him. Remember King Nebuchadnezzar had stolen the vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem (see Daniel 1:1-2). These vessels belonged in the house of the Lord and were consecrated to God (set apart for a special purpose). Recognize that Belshazzar misused these vessels. “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone” (Daniel 5:4). Belshazzar was using them to praise false gods (of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone).

    Read what God did. “In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote” (Daniel 5:5). When King Belshazzar saw a hand writing on the palace wall, he was so scared that his knees began to shake together! He sent for his wise men to tell him what the message meant – with a promise of great reward (see Daniel 5:6-7). However, none of them could tell the king what the writing meant. This frightened King Belshazzar even more.

    Nevertheless, when the queen heard what was happening, she told the king that she knew of someone. “11. There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12. Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation” (Daniel 5:11-12). Notice the reputation that preceded Daniel! Also, recognize the confidence the queen had in Daniel – for we read the king then requested Daniel’s presence. If Daniel would give King Belshazzar the meaning, Daniel would receive great reward (see Daniel 5:13-16). However, Daniel did not want rewards for delivering a message from God to the king (see Daniel 5:17).

    The first thing Daniel did was remind King Belshazzar of his grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar, and the response he had made when God spoke to and dealt with him (see Daniel 5:18-21; also see Daniel chapter four). Next, Daniel brought the responsibility of the writing upon the wall to the king. “22. And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23. But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified” (Daniel 5:22-23). Daniel rebuked King Belshazzar for praising the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood and stone, and not acknowledging God who had given him life.

    Nebuchadnezzar had humbled himself before God, but Belshazzar had refused.

    King Belshazzar had not believed in God like his grandfather, King Nebuchadnezzar.

    Read the message God had for King Belshazzar. “25. And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:25-28). King Belshazzar had been “weighed in the balances” by God, and Belshazzar had been found wanting (means “deficient; lacking; to fail”). Although Belshazzar had a great kingdom, he had rejected God. The God in whom Nebuchadnezzar, his grandfather, had believed and trusted. For that, God was going to take the kingdom from Belshazzar and divide it among his enemies.

    Belshazzar fulfilled his promise to Daniel, giving him honor and gifts (see Daniel 5:29). Recognize that it did not really matter that the king declared Daniel to be the third ruler in the kingdom. Why not? “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain” (Daniel 5:30). The handwriting declared King Belshazzar would lose his kingdom that night – and he did. He also lost his life. With that came the demise of the Babylonian reign. Belshazzar no longer lived, nor did he rule over Babylon any more.

    Nebuchadnezzar had a choice. He chose to believe in the one true God.

    Belshazzar had a choice. He chose to disregard the one true God.

    What choice have you made?

    How to choose wisely: Choose the one true God