Tag: Promises

Devotional

Promises!

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1 Kings 8:56

“Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave through His servant Moses”

What an amazing portion of scripture that reassures us in our moments of doubt and confusion, those difficult times when we don’t understand what is happening in our lives! Many people in the throes of disillusionment have exclaimed “Promises! Promises!” despairing that they might ever rely on anyone’s word again. Yet here it is – over generations of time, God’s reputation is secure, solid, unchanging!

What promise comes most often to your mind? There are so many that God has made, recorded for us in His Word. They cover every possible situation and circumstance. For example:

  • He has promised to supply every need we have
  • God promises His grace is sufficient
  • He promises temptation will not overpower us
  • God promises His children victory over death

However, we do need to start with the promise of primary importance. Which one is that? Perhaps it is one we are most familiar with “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have eternal life!” (John 3:16). Then there is another one reminding us “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). However, as we journey through life we know that sin is continually knocking at the door, so we need to remember that “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).

These promises pertain to our very life as believers. They establish the foundation upon which all other promises rest, since as God’s children we are privileged to come into His presence and to ask for anything we perceive as needs. Our perceptions are directed as we yield our wills to the power of the Holy Spirit, the person of the Godhead who dwells within. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

We can attest to the reality of our own experience with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit who prove God’s faithfulness to His promise: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified …. For the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, repeated in Hebrews 13:5).

Reflection:

Consider why you favour some promises over others, which is certainly not wrong, and why.

How helpful is this for your responsibility to the Kingdom of God?

What do you hear from the heart of God in the promises you read in scripture?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

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The Reality of Hell

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Matthew 10:28

In days gone by preachers passionately warned sinners about the dangers of hell fire. Christians believed they needed to take their neighbours to church where they would hear the truth about heaven and hell. Today evangelism has become more of a personal thing – the testimony of a believer in word and deed, bearing witness to the reality of Jesus and His love. Seldom do we hear hell mentioned now, from the pulpit.

Hell (Sheol in Hebrew) was the place of the dead, described by many Old Testament scriptures. Figuratively it was a word used by the Jews to describe a place of extreme degradation and suffering. Three Greek words in the New Testament describe the after-life: Hades – Greek for Sheol – place of the dead: 2 Corinthians 15:55, Gehenna – a place of dreadful and destructive judgments, of retributive suffering, and Tartarus: a place of destruction, desolation and torment.

Modern thought argues against the reality of hell as an actual place of eternal torment on the grounds that a God of love wouldn’t, couldn’t consign anyone to such an eternal state. However, there are many scriptures which record the words of our Saviour, Himself, warning against specific judgment and wrath to come, a certain reward for rebellion and disobedience.

Although no formal declaration occurs, the Old Testament clearly identifies Sheol as the specific place where the wicked will be punished. “The wicked shall be turned into Sheol, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17) “The wicked in a moment go down into Sheol.” (Job 21:13)

The Lord Jesus clarifies the terms for us by describing the torments of hell. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell! (Matthew 10:28) “…will be thrown outside into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12) Paul tells us “God is just…..He will punish those who ….do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Both Matthew and Mark quote Jesus’ words “If your hand or foot cause you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter [eternal] life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.” Similarly “…it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” (Matthew 18:8-9, Mark 9:43ff)

Contemporary theologians would deny the justice of God, which needs to be satisfied. Rather they reduce the truth to a matter of living the best way we know how in order to please a one-sided deity who only loves. Not only is this a travesty of justice, but it is a tragic interpretation. Where does it place the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ? God indeed would look weak and uncaring if we worshiped One who would send His ‘only begotten Son’ (John 3:16) to the cross when there was another way of solving the problem of sin.

The Holy Scriptures, which teach the fullness of the character of God and the resolve with which He offered salvation to a lost world, must be upheld as truth. Half-truth is no truth at all, untrustworthy. It is not God’s fault that man chooses day by day, era by era to mis-read His Word. The Word warns mankind of punishment by hell-fire. Certainly that punishment is unnecessary when we grasp the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection which made a straight path for His followers, into heaven, everlasting life, eternal joy and peace.

Praise be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord! (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Reflection:

Why do we turn away from the notion of hell? Is it a reality? Is heaven? How do you make that distinction?

Notice that when life becomes unbearably difficult, folks sometimes refer to it as hell. What does this imply?

by Marilyn Daniels. http://www.marilyndaniels.net

Devotional · Uncategorized

Many are Called, but…

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Matthew 22:1-14

The subject of election (predestination), which is very deep and over which theologians have battled for centuries, came up recently in Bible Study. It caused me to review Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:14 and what led Him to make this proclamation.

Tension existed between Jesus and the religious leaders of the Jews. In chapter 21, Matthew notes they were looking for ways to arrest him, but they feared His popularity with the crowds. Jesus spoke to them in parables about the Kingdom of heaven; in this instance the King invited guests to the wedding of his son, but many of them found excuse in business prevented them from attending. Eventually others were invited.

This was prophetic. Jesus knew He had come, the Son of our heavenly Father, to establish an eternal Kingdom to which many who were invited would decline, for a variety of reasons. Gentiles would be included in an invitation first given to the Jews, to be the children of God. The many who were first called refers to the nation of Israel.

Ryrie makes a pertinent comment on that particular verse: “Here it indicates there is a general call of God to sinners inviting them to receive His salvation, and there is also a specific election that brings some to Him” (Ryrie Study notes). The Apostle Paul told the Roman church there was no excuse for anyone not knowing about God – His very handiwork in nature reveals to us there is a Designer and Creator. However, in his own experience Paul had to be struck blind in order for him to “see” God. He was specifically “chosen” to do a task, according to God’s will.

Paul’s message?…. Jesus died for all (1 Corinthians 5:15) so God offers the gift of salvation to all who will receive it….. believing (John 1:12)

Jesus’ parable about the rejection of the nation Israel ( Matthew 22:1-14) serves as a serious warning that an invitation has been extended to everyone. “For God so loved the world….”! (John 3:16)

”The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise….He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Reflection:

Have you accepted the invitation to the wedding of the Lamb? Revelation 19:9

How many of your loved ones will be joining you at this celebration feast?

Devotional · Uncategorized

Our Covenant God

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Ezekiel 16

What is a covenant?

Ecclesiastical: A solemn agreement between the members of a church to act together in harmony with the precepts of the gospel. There are national as well as legal covenants which bind people groups together for a stated purpose.

In the Bible it is an agreement between God and His people, upon whom He places covenantal blessings, conditioned by their obedience to His laws. A covenant binds two or more parties together….for example God made a covenant between the nation of Israel and Himself.

Chapter 16 of Ezekiel’s prophecy depicts Israel as an unfaithful wife. God reviews the nation’s sin (:3-34) and describes her punishment (:35-52)….not without hope. Verses 53-63 describe the restoration of His chosen people. True to God’s character of faithful love, He honours His everlasting covenant (:60) in the end. What is the purpose of God’s covenant with Israel? That “you will know that I am the LORD” (:62), declares the Sovereign LORD (:63).

God’s Sovereignty is a cardinal doctrine of the Christian faith. In spite of things seeming to be out of control, both in Ezekiel’s day as well as our own, God is in control. It is curious to reflect on the amazing way He brings about His purposes for our world as prophecies continue to be fulfilled. It would sometimes seem that Satan is winning the battle, but we must remember he cannot win the war. We must remind ourselves of the picture painted in Job 1 & 2, where Satan comes to God for permission to test His blameless servant Job. Who is in charge? God!

God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts. They are motivated by His purity. His ways are not like our ways…they are purposeful for the ultimate good of others. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Even in the midst of His disappointment and pain, God looks beyond our fault and sees our need.

Dotty Rambo wrote a beautiful song about His outlook on each individual. It is for this reason God sent His Son to save the world from sin…in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dies for us (Romans 5:8). True to His promise God’s covenant blessing of atonement has come to us in the twenty-first century, through Jesus Christ our LORD. (Ezekiel 16:63).

Reflection:

Let us examine our reactionary style of living. What is our response when we have been hurt or disappointed?

Are we emulating God’s mercy and grace when we are angry or sad with others who let us down?

What do we learn from our covenant-keeping God?

Visit me at: http://www.marilyndaniels.net