How We’re Called to Live

From: Our Daily Journey

  Jul 16, 2018  

Read:

2 Corinthians 5:14-21
[God] gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19).

I found myself in a tense, combustible situation—standing between two groups of angry people who were nose to nose, boiling over with rage and hatred. One group spewed vile, dehumanizing words at the other; then that group spewed vile, dehumanizing words back. In that volatile space, both groups completely lost perspective of the other’s humanity. Locked in an intractable posture of opposition, neither side would acknowledge any common ground. Neither side would consider there might be some way to resolve their differences or even begin any kind of constructive conversation. Both sides felt wronged and wanted only to punish their foe.

In contrast, when Jesus confronted sin, His ultimate goal was always reconciliation. Jesus’ mission was to reach out to those who “were far away from God” and bring them near (Ephesians 2:13). He reached out to all of us, though we’ve all rebelled against God and resisted His love. He moved right past our ignorance and our protests in order to offer us healing. “God was in Christ,” Paul tells us, “reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

And this posture of reconciliation isn’t merely the way Jesus lived but also how He calls us to live. Christ “gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Now He’s chosen to reconcile the world through us. “We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

In conflicts, we should never seek revenge. Rather, we should seek healing and reconciliation. We’re not to inflict pain on those who have wronged us but seek the possibility of forgiveness and the divine mending Jesus brings.

Timeless Beauty

From: Our Daily Journey

  Jul 15, 2018  

Read:

Ephesians 4:1-16
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church (Ephesians 4:15).

Each year, my son and I travel to the other side of the country to spend time with his honorary grandparents, Gwen and Jim Johnson. It’s not possible for me to express the significance of these visits and all that my son and I learn from this remarkable couple, each of whom are in their mid-nineties.

Though no longer able to skydive, Jajja (grandmother) Gwen did parachute from the sky on her ninetieth birthday! The Johnson’s model a deep faith in Jesus, a contagious zest for life, an unwavering commitment to service, and an undeniable love for and devotion to each other.

Throughout their more than 70 years of marriage, Gwen and Jim have exemplified Ephesians 4:2-3 as they’ve treated each other humbly and gently—and that still continues in their golden years. Because they know and trust Jesus, they continue to “be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of . . . love” (Ephesians 4:2). They know that each minute they have on earth is more time to serve Him and His children and to love each other.

Their example of profound love has been evident to my son and me again and again. But this past summer, at the swimming pool, as we watched Jim tenderly rub suntan lotion on Gwen’s shoulder, I thanked God for allowing my son to witness unconditional love between a husband and a wife.

Grandpa Jim and Jajja Gwen, to all who know them, are an example of the beauty that results when people choose to “make every effort to keep [themselves] united in the Spirit, binding [themselves] together in peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

When we allow the Holy Spirit and Scripture to guide us, nothing can veil the beauty God intended for us to experience in our relationships.

Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile

By Oswald Chambers

I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. —Matthew 5:39

This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature of Jesus— it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of the Lord Jesus.

The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, “Do your duty,” but is, in effect, “Do what is not your duty.” It is not your duty to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will not say, “Oh well, I just can’t do any more, and I’ve been so misrepresented and misunderstood.” Every time I insist on having my own rights, I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of filling “up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord’s honor that is at stake in his life, not his own honor.

Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is— Never look for justice, but never cease to give it.

Waiting For The Shout

July 13, 2018 Waiting for the Shout ARLENE PELLICANE

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NKJV)

I’m waiting for my parents to come home. 

No, they aren’t wayward or lost. Actually, they are happily on a long vacation while I am missing the greatest babysitters in the world (also known as grandparents). I can hardly stand the wait until they return. They live right in our neighborhood and shower our family of five with love … and feed us delicious dinners. (Bonus!)

Knowing they are coming back soon puts a smile on my face. My mom, who is constantly laughing, has a loud voice that I love and miss. I’ve never had to ask her to speak up or repeat herself. I can hear every word, crystal clear. People know when she has entered a room. 

Friends, as much as I look forward to my parents’ return, there’s a day coming that’s even more exciting than being reunited with family. Jesus is coming back, and when He enters the atmosphere, everyone will know it. He will come back with a shout no one will be able to miss! 

Our key verse describes His triumphant return, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This mighty sound is likened to a shout, a voice and a trumpet. Imagine what people will say about this thunderous noise piercing heaven and earth. Those who do not know Christ will no doubt wonder, “What was that???” 

You will know. 

It will be the ultimate sound of joy for every believer. It will be reunion-time! We will be with the Lord, with the dead in Christ who have gone before us. 

Let’s take a closer look at two of the Greek words the Apostle Paul uses in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 to describe this event: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor [epiphaneia] of his coming [parousia]” (NIV).

Epiphaneia means “appearance” or “visible manifestation.” We will hear the shout and we will also see His brilliance. Christ will destroy the antichrist with the brightness of His coming. Parousia means “coming” or “presence.” This term was often used in secular Greek literature to refer to the visit or presence of a king or important dignitary. When the King of kings comes on the scene, you will see pomp and majesty beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of. 

So when you feel discouraged by the news or the circumstances of your life, remember His shout is coming. Paul exhorted the Christians in Thessalonica to comfort each other with reminders of their destiny: “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, NIV). 

You are on the winning side. Just as Christ came as a baby, someday He will return as a victorious King. God doesn’t take vacations. He is constantly working behind-the-scenes on your behalf and mine. 

Are you waiting expectantly, looking to heaven with hope? It’s easy to forget the promises and prophecies in the Bible when day-to-day duties scream for our attention. But let us remember — we are waiting for the Lord’s return with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. What a day that will be! 

Lord, we’re so encouraged to know You are returning as the triumphant King. You will come and bring justice on the earth, and defeat Your enemies. I look forward to Your glorious return with hope and gratitude. Help me point more people to You today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (NIV)

Revelation 19:11-12a, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns.” (NIV) 

A simple sermon for seeking souls

From: Charles Spurgeon

“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

Suggested Further Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

“I thought,” said somebody addressing me one day, “I thought when I was in the garden, surely Christ could take my sins away, just as easily as he could move the clouds. Do you know, sir, in a moment or two the cloud was all gone, and the sun was shining. Thought I to myself, the Lord is blotting out my sin.” Such a ridiculous thought as that, you say, cannot occur often. I tell you, it does, very frequently indeed. People suppose that the greatest nonsense in all the earth is a manifestation of divine grace in their hearts. Now, the only feeling I ever want to have is just this,—I want to feel that I am a sinner and that Christ is my Saviour. You may keep your visions, and ecstasies, and raptures, and dances to yourselves; the only feeling that I desire to have is deep repentance and humble faith; and if, poor sinner, you have got that, you are saved. Why, some of you believe that before you can be saved there must be a kind of electric shock, some very wonderful thing that is to go all through you from head to foot. Now hear this, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: …That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart…. Thou shalt be saved.” What do you want with all this nonsense of dreams and supernatural thoughts? All that is wanted is, that as a guilty sinner, I should come and cast myself on Christ. That done, the soul is safe, and all the visions in the universe could not make it safer.

For meditation: “God be merciful to me a sinner” was Christ’s description of a man calling upon God and being justified (Luke 18:13,14). Any insistence on special experiences and strange happenings is an evidence of having departed from Christ, the head of the church (Colossians 2:18,19).

Lessons in Encouragement

Lessons in Encouragement

From: Our Daily Journey

  Jul 11, 2018  

Read:

1 Samuel 23:1-18
Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God (1 Samuel 23:16).

Every now and then, I receive a note from a friend telling me how blessed she’s been by something I wrote. Often these messages arrive as I’m wondering whether my words make any difference. In the past I expressed my gratitude for her kindness. But lately I’ve come to an even greater awareness of how helpful her encouragement has been to me. Knowing that people are being impacted by my writing helps me to recognize God’s hand in my work and to rely even more on His guidance.

Like my friend, Jonathan was a source of strength and encouragement to David. On the run from King Saul, David found an unlikely ally in the crown prince. Once, while roaming the wilderness, “Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ Jonathan reassured him. ‘My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you . . . .’ So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the LORD . Then Jonathan returned home” (1 Samuel 23:16-18).

Not long after this incident, David’s position was twice betrayed—once by people he had just helped. When Saul went after David, he ended up vulnerable to attack from David’s men. But, striving to honor God, David spared Saul’s life (1 Samuel 24:1-15).

David spent several years wondering when the prophecy of him becoming king would be fulfilled. During this time, he was often surrounded by supporters. But even when alone and despondent, he learned to find encouragement in God (1 Samuel 30:6).

May we, like Jonathan, play the part of an encourager in the life of others. And like David, may we learn to draw encouragement from the One who is ever present in our troubles.

God of the Depths

 

God of the Depths

Job 41:12-34 New International Version (NIV)

12 “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs,
    its strength and its graceful form.
13 Who can strip off its outer coat?
    Who can penetrate its double coat of armor[a]?
14 Who dares open the doors of its mouth,
    ringed about with fearsome teeth?
15 Its back has[b] rows of shields
    tightly sealed together;
16 each is so close to the next
    that no air can pass between.
17 They are joined fast to one another;
    they cling together and cannot be parted.
18 Its snorting throws out flashes of light;
    its eyes are like the rays of dawn.
19 Flames stream from its mouth;
    sparks of fire shoot out.
20 Smoke pours from its nostrils
    as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.
21 Its breath sets coals ablaze,
    and flames dart from its mouth.
22 Strength resides in its neck;
    dismay goes before it.
23 The folds of its flesh are tightly joined;
    they are firm and immovable.

Its chest is hard as rock,

    hard as a lower millstone.
25 When it rises up, the mighty are terrified;
    they retreat before its thrashing.
26 The sword that reaches it has no effect,
    nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.
27 Iron it treats like straw
    and bronze like rotten wood.
28 Arrows do not make it flee;
    slingstones are like chaff to it.
29 A club seems to it but a piece of straw;
    it laughs at the rattling of the lance.
30 Its undersides are jagged potsherds,
    leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.
31 It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron
    and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 It leaves a glistening wake behind it;
    one would think the deep had white hair.
33 Nothing on earth is its equal—
    a creature without fear.
34 It looks down on all that are haughty;
    it is king over all that are proud.”

  July 10, 2018