Only One Cure...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Lamentations 2 / NT - Romans 3:21-31

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood..."  -- Romans 3:23-25

Guilt is real. But what has be done to remedy this great weight upon our hearts? Throughout the years psychological pursuits and various forms of religious efforts have been made to set us free from the burden. Yet, guilt continues to lay upon every soul around the globe for "all have sinned" and there is only one cure.

Paul presented a very thorough case of universal guilt of the religious and irreligious. Down deep within every heart there is great guilt that cannot be relieved. To be justified and forgiven a price of redemption had to be paid that was quite specific. That price to clear our guilt was the shed blood of Jesus. This alone is the only cure.

As the old green stamp "redemption center" was a place to find all kinds of treasures, the "redemption center" of the cross of Christ is a place to find the greatest treasure. We no longer need to carry our guilt through life. Forgiveness has been paid for and can be ours "through faith in his blood." That is our only cure.

Think about this: "The Bible says that God himself accepted the responsibility for sin; the cross is the proof that he did. It cost Jesus Christ to the last drop of blood to deal with the vast evil of the world." ~ Oswald Chambers

Readings: OT Year 3 - Lamentations 3:1-19 / NT - Romans 4

Change...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Lamentations 1 / NT - Romans 3:1-20

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." - Romans 3:20

I have two temperature instruments in my home. One is a thermometer and the other is a thermostat. The first one tells me what the temperature is and the second controls the temperature. No matter how cold it gets, the thermometer can never adjust the temperature. Change can only come through the thermostat.

Like these two wonderful instruments, we have the law and faith. Many people confuse the two and believe that the law can change the spiritual temperature and make one righteous. As we read above, the thermometer of law can only reveal sin and never improve the condition. Change can only come through the thermostat of faith. 

Be careful my friend and never depend on the works of the law to change your heart. Learn from the law how great a sinner you are and flee into the arms of Christ and be transformed from within.  Change can only come through faith.

Think about this: "Moral virtue may wash the outside, but faith washes the inside." ~ Thomas Adams

Readings: OT Year 3 - Lamentations 2 / NT - Romans 3:21-31

Seek His Mercy...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 52:12-34 / NT - Romans 2

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." -- Romans 2:1

Over the years I have met a vast number of people who claim one major reason for not attending church. They believe that there are too many hypocrites in the church. The sad truth is; there are and always have been hypocrites in the church. As a matter of fact, our world is full of hypocrites. These are people who criticize others for doing the same things that they do. We are all hypocrites to some degree and we need God's mercy.

Paul addressed the "unchurched" and the "churched" in chapter one and two. In the above verse he speaks to those who think themselves to be without fault. But, he reminds them that God judges us all according to truth and every man needs the Lord's kindness that leads to repentance. Before we pass judgment on others, we ought to look in the mirror and seek God's mercy.

Our human nature will always be prone to see others as sinners and ourselves as righteous. But, let's be honest and take a closer look. We're all in the same boat and we need God's patient forgiveness. The next time you criticize someone, look in the mirror and take inventory. Don't judge hypocrites because you may be one. Be grateful for the riches of God's kindness and seek his mercy.

Think about this: "Hypocrites in the church? Yes, and at work, and at home. Don't hunt through the church for a hypocrite. Go home and look in the glass. Hypocrites? Yes. See that you make the number one less." ~ Billy Sunday

Readings: OT Year 3 - Lamentations 1 / NT - Romans 3:1-20

The Point of No Return...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 52:1-11 / NT - Romans 1:16-32

"God gave them up ..." - Romans 1:24, 26, 28

There are control gates that regulate the flow of water to Niagara Falls.These gates are about a mile upstream from the falls and are often called "the point of no return," because any boat or person caught in the current beyond them will be carried right over the falls.  On rare occasions lives have been lost by going beyond the gates. No one can be blamed, because a choice was made to ignore the warning.

The Scriptures are chock full of warnings. The holiness of God is clearly taught, the wrath of God toward evil is honestly stated and the grace of God is beautifully presented. Our journey into the future is full of moments when warning signs need to be considered. When someone chooses to venture past the gates, and live beyond "the point of no return" they will experience Divine wrath and condemnation. God must not be blamed, because the choice was made to ignore His warning.

What is "the point of no return", you may ask? The answer is difficult for us to pinpoint, but John writes in 1 John 5:16, "There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that." Between Romans 1 and 1 John 5 we have sober warnings. Seek and embrace the grace of God to avoid the gates that lead to "the point of no return".

Think about this: "Sin drives men mad. Against their reason, against their best interests, they follow after that which they know will destroy them.  ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 52:12-34 / NT - Romans 2

What Are You For?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 51:43-64 / NT - Romans 1:1-15

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" - Romans 1:1 

Every election year we are entertained with political adds. We hear the many promises of candidates as they speak of what they won't do. The past records of opponents are brought to light and we are assured that they oppose such practices. We aren't quite sure what these politicians are for, but we certainly know what they are against.

On another front we may hear, "I don't dance, drink, smoke, chew, or go out with girls that do!"... and so the thinking goes by many "separated" Christians. For such believers what they are for is rarely stated, but we certainly know what they are against. 

While Paul often spoke against sinful practices, he was always very clear that he was for the gospel of God. Do people know what you are for my friend? Do you spend your time living for Christ and sharing the good news of God's grace? It's far more important for people to know what we are set apart for than against!

Think about this: "A man's heart has only enough life in it to pursue one object fully." ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 52:1-11 / NT - Romans 1:16-32

On a Mission ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 51:19-42 / NT - Acts 28

"There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured." - Acts 28:7-8

When we set out on a trip, we're focused on our destination. Flat tires, detours and illnesses are just inconveniences that are quickly dealt with so we can move on. The thought of stopping and smelling the roses or slowing down to give a helping hand is often rejected because...We're on a mission.

Paul was on a journey and the trip had been rough. The need to regroup and move on was great. But, Paul was willing to take time to get involved in other people's troubles. His needs were put aside to show the love of Jesus to someone else. Paul's life and ministry was reaching people everywhere for Jesus. Trips and troubles were never more important than people. Every day, Paul was on a mission.

What is your destination today? Are you going someplace exotic? Somewhere exciting and challenging? Is your plan more important than those you meet along the way? Is your ministry for Jesus always down the road and in the future? Take time to show the love of Jesus to those you meet day to day. Because people all around you need the Lord, you too are on a mission.

Think about this: "Is anyone happier because you passed his way? Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?"

Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 51:43-64 / NT - Romans 1:1-15

A Moment of Worship...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 51:1-18 / NT - Acts 27:13-44

"After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat." - Acts 27:35

Jonathan Edwards would lead his family in a prayer of gratitude before and after every meal. George Muller of Bristol would lead the orphan children in a prayer of thanksgiving and faith before meals, where the food was yet to arrive. As the crucifixion approached, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it saying "Take and eat, this is my body" (Matthew 26:26). Saying grace is far more than a Christian obligation, it's a moment of worship.

Paul and an entire crew of storm worn sailors were about to eat some bread. It wasn't a feast and it wasn't a celebration. With the surrounding events so discouraging and threatening, appetites were long gone. Yet, Paul encouraged them to eat for strength and as they prepared to eat, he gave thanks. With the mess they were in, one might wonder why he would express gratitude. Grace isn't just being grateful for good and plentiful food it's... a moment of worship.

Do you take time to  give thanks before your meal wherever you are? Do you give thanks in the restaurant? Do you pray over your sandwich at work? How about your cereal in the morning when you are alone? Is your prayer an obligatory "Thanks", or in light of God's presence and provision is it... a moment of worship? 

Think about this: "More spiritual progress can be made in one short moment of speechless silence in the awesome presence of God than in years of mere study." ~ A. W. Tozer

Readings: OT Year 3 - Jeremiah 51:19-42 / NT - Acts 28