PSALM 24
LORD the Creator of the Universe verse 1- 2
The earth is the LORD’S – and the fullness thereof
the world – and they that dwell therein
FOR HE has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the floods
Description of those who are blessed of the LORD verse 3- 6
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Who shall stand in HIS holy place?
He that hath clean hands – and a pure heart
who has NOT lifted up his soul to vanity
NOR sworn deceitfully
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD
and righteousness from the God of his salvation
This is the generation of them that seek HIM
that seek YOUR face O Jacob SELAH
LORD is the King of Glory verse 7- 10
Lift up your heads – O you gates
and be you lift up – you everlasting doors
and the King of glory shall come in
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty
the LORD mighty in battle
Lift up your heads – O you gates
even lift them up you everlasting doors
and the King of glory shall come in
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts
HE is the King of glory SELAH
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein. (8398 “world” [tebel] means habitable part, or the whole part of the earth where people live)
DEVOTION: Worship is key in this psalm. Those who realize that the LORD is the creator of the universe will come to worship HIM in spirit and in truth. They will acknowledge that HE owns everything and everyone in the created earth. HE is sovereign.
The LORD established man on the earth to work and worship. There is a particular group of people who can enter into the holy temple. This group is described as those who have clean hands and a pure heart. They are ones who don’t collect emptiness. Material possessions don’t possess them.
The LORD is in control of the entire world. This word doesn’t include the oceans but they are also under HIS control. When we get the feeling that we are in control of our world, we better think again. We have choices to make on a regular basis.
The choice is to follow the LORD and HIS plan or try to go our own way. HE is the creator of the universe. HE has a standard for those who are going to enter Heaven. The list is found in this psalm.
This psalm also states that the King of glory is coming. The King of glory is none other than the LORD Jesus Christ, WHO is going to return someday to claim HIS people.
Are we ready for HIS return? Are we ready to meet HIM if we were to die today? We need to be ready.
Our country and all other countries are under the influence of the prince of the power of the air who is the devil. There is a time coming when the LORD is going to come and reign in this earth from a throne in Jerusalem. HE has conquered death. HE is going to conquer the devil and his angels.
CHALLENGE: Continually remember that the LORD is coming. It can happen at any time. Pray for those who are outside the family of God that they will enter soon.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 4 “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul
to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Clean 5355 נָקִי, נָקִיא [naqiy, naqiyʾ /naw·kee/] adj. From 5352; TWOT 1412a, 1412b; GK 5929 and 5930; 44 occurrences; AV translates as “innocent” 31 times, “guiltless” four times, “quit” twice, “blameless” twice, “clean” once, “clear” once, “exempted” once, “free” once, and “variant” once. 1 clean, free from, exempt, clear, innocent. 1A free from guilt, clean, innocent. 1B free from punishment. 1C free or exempt from obligations. 2 innocent. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon.)
DEVOTION: My mother-in-law has a standing rule for grandchildren. They have to wash their hands before helping her in the kitchen! Clean hands are important for the helpers of grandma and for hygiene. If that is true in the kitchen how much more important is it when we step into the presence of the Almighty? The psalmist recognized that the Sovereign ruler of the universe demanded purity and cleanliness in his attendance. Maybe the old adage that cleanliness is next to godliness is somewhat true!
CHALLENGE: As you wash your hands today ask the Lord to cleanse your heart and be holy before Him! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
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:5 “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Blessing, 1293 בְּרָכָה [bĕrakah], blessing, (source of) blessing; blessing, prosperity; blessing, praise of God; a gift, present; treaty of peace)
DEVOTION: God’s sovereignty and royalty is asserted in this psalm. This stands in contrast to the humiliation and suffering predicted for the Messiah in Psalm 22. It is His sovereignty that makes the leading of the good shepherd in Psalm 23 believable. God already rules over His creation. What remains is for mankind to acknowledge His sovereignty (Philippians 2:9-11).
This psalm then describes the kind of man who will dwell with Almighty God. He is a man who has sought to live a life of integrity (a concept frequently mentioned in the psalms and proverbs). For this, he experiences God’s shalom, His peace that covers every area of his life. This results in the same kind of blessing that Jesus promises in the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-11). These are the kinds of blessings that God gives to believers (Ephesians 1:3).
Our problem with understanding this is that we equate God’s blessing with His giving us wealth, health, and prosperity. However, as the Beatitudes point out, God’s blessing is not always for the here and now; rather the people who mourn, who are poor in spirit, and who are being persecuted and reviled are the ones who are truly being blessed by God. That is, they are experiencing a much closer fellowship with their Creator, including identifying with the suffering that Christ endured. These are the ones who truly pray for God’s kingdom to be established visibly on the earth, the day that is envisioned in the last verses of this psalm.
CHALLENGE: Are you more concerned about how you are doing today or are you looking forward to the day when the Lord comes back in His glory? He promises to return and establish His own visible kingdom. That is to be a source of great comfort for us! (Dr. Marc Wooten – board member)
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORDmighty in battle. (1368 “mighty” [gibbowr] means powerful, strong one, having or showing great strength, force or intensity, upright man, champion, or brave.)
DEVOTION: Who is this verse talking about? That is the question that needs to be answered before we can know who it is talking about. This is talking about Jesus Christ who is coming in glory in the future. HE is the one that desires all our praise. HE is the one who David is praising even before HE came to this earth to take away our sins. HE was coming in the future and here we have a prediction of what was going to happen when HE came.
We know that HE is coming a second time as well when HE will defeat the enemy, the devil, and call all HIS own to himself.
David is looking forward to that day and we are looking forward to that day as well. This has not happened yet but it will. As we look at what is going on in our world, we realize that all the prophecies that are found in the Old Testament and New Testament are coming true and the ultimate arrival of Jesus Christ is still in the future but perhaps the near future.
We are presently fighting a battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. It is not a easy battle but we know that we can win because we have become a follower of Jesus and HE has promised us the victory.
CHALLENGE: It is a great promise that we have a victory coming through Jesus Christ. We have to be patient and wait on HIM to come and win the victory for us.
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: 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, HE is the king of glory. Selah (6633 “hosts” [tsaba’] means campaign, troops, military men, heavenly bodies, a vast multitude, warriors, or assemble)
DEVOTION: The hosts of heaven are usually talking about the angels that are in heaven. We know that there is a division of responsibility between different groups of angels but we know that they are all under the direction of the LORD.
We know that Christ promised to return with the angels of heaven to defeat the devil and his angels in the final battle. HE was going to win and this was known before the foundation of the world.
It is hard to realize that everything is going according to the plan of God from before the foundation of the world. We can’t seem to get our mind around the facts that God knew what was going to happen from the time of Adam until the time of the final battle between the Devil and his angels and the LORD.
If we are a genuine believer, we are followers of the King of glory. We will be on the winning side throughout eternity. We might not seem to be winning right now in our world but we have a promise that the victory is going to be ours through Jesus Christ and the angels of heaven in the end.
Are we willing to wait for victory or are we getting impatient for the LORD to return? Remember HE is going to return when the last one who is to become HIS follower becomes HIS follower.
CHALLENGE: Our prayer should be “Even so come, Lord Jesus.”
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Gates verse 7, 8
Everlasting doors verse 7, 8
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 3, 5, 8
Creator verse 2
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 5
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
King of Glory verse 7- 10
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 8, 10
Strong and mighty verse 8
Mighty in battle verse 8
LORD of hosts verse 10
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
World verse 1
Earth dwellers verse 1
Generation verse 6
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Vanity verse 4
Swear deceitfully verse 4
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Clean hands verse 4
Pure heart verse 4
Not lifted us his soul unto vanity verse 4
Not swear deceitfully verse 4
Blessing verse 5
Righteousness verse 5
Salvation verse 5
Seek the LORD verse 6
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Psalm of David verse 1- 10
Holy place verse 3
Jacob verse 6
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church, please use that method. Thank you.
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QUOTES regarding passage
9. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” The words are repeated with a pleasing variation. There are times of deep earnest feeling when repetitions are not vain but full of force. Doors were often taken from their hinges when Easterns would show welcome to a guest, and some doors were drawn up and down like a portcullis, and may possibly have protruded from the top; thus, literally lifting up their heads. The picture is highly poetical, and shows how wide heaven’s gate is set by the ascension of our Lord. Blessed be God, the gates have never been shut since. The opened gates of heaven invite the weakest believer to enter.
Dear reader, it is possible that you are saying, “I shall never enter into the heaven of God, for I have neither clean hands nor a pure heart.” Look then to Christ, who has already climbed the holy hill. He has entered as the forerunner of those who trust him. Follow in his footsteps, and repose upon his merit. He rides triumphantly into heaven, and you shall ride there too if you trust him. “But how can I get the character described?” say you. The Spirit of God will give you that. He will create in you a new heart and a right spirit. Faith in Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit, and has all virtues wrapped up in it. Faith stands by the fountain filled with blood, and as she washes therein, clean hands and a pure heart, a holy soul and a truthful tongue are given to her. (Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 1-26 (Vol. 1, p. 378). London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.)
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Ver. 9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, &c.] This is repeated on account of the backwardness and negligence of churches, and particular believers, to open and let Christ in; as may be seen in the case of the church in Cant. 5:2, 3. as well as the more to set forth the greatness and glory of Christ, about to make his entrance, and to command a proper awe and reverence of him: some think respect is had to the two-fold coming of Christ; first into the second temple, and next at the last judgment; though rather the certainty of his coming, in a spiritual manner, to his church and people, is here designed. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 632). London: Mathews and Leigh.
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24:7–9 These are bold personifications indicating that the city gates need to stretch themselves to make way for the awesome entrance of the Great King. By so doing, they too participate in worshiping Him. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ps 24:7–9). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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We are Victors Who Celebrate His Glory in Conquest (vv. 7–10)
Five times in this text God is called “the King of Glory.” Jesus is the Chief Shepherd who will one day return in glory and give each faithful servant a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:1–4; and see 1:7, 4:11–14 and 5:10; 1 Cor. 2:8). The gates of Jerusalem opened outward, so what is meant by “be lifted up”? Certainly there would be plenty of headroom for the Levites to carry in the ark, and it wouldn’t be required to raise the lintels of the gates. Martin Luther translated it, “Open wide the portals,” that is, “Give a hearty welcome to the Lord!” Bringing in the ark may have reminded David of what Moses and the leaders of Israel sang when the ark was carried in the wilderness (Num. 10:33–35; Ps. 68:1–3; 132:8). The administration of an ancient city was transacted at the city gates, so the gates were to those people what the city hall is to citizens in the western world today. David was commanding the whole city to welcome the Lord and give honor to Him. The King of Glory is also “the Lord of Hosts,” a title used nearly three hundred times in the Old Testament. “Hosts” means “armies,” and this can mean the stars (Isa. 40:26), the angels (Ps. 103:20–21), the nation of Israel (Ex. 12:41), or all believers who belong to the army of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3–4; 2 Cor. 10:3–6; Eph. 6:10ff).
But why were the gates of Jerusalem addressed twice (vv. 7 and 9)? The King of Glory is Jesus Christ. When He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the whole city didn’t receive Him and praise Him. This psalm had been sung that morning at the temple, but it wasn’t applied to Jesus of Nazareth. Instead of accepting Him and honoring Him, the leaders rejected Him and sent Him to Golgotha to be crucified. However, in His death and resurrection, Jesus won the battle against Satan and sin, and when He ascended back to heaven and entered the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:18ff), He was received as the victorious Lord of Hosts and the King of Glory. However, Jesus will return to the earth and fight a battle against the armies of the world and be victorious (Rev. 19:11ff; Isa. 63:1–3). He will deliver Jerusalem from her enemies (Zech. 12–14) and establish His kingdom on earth. Then His people will receive Him in Jerusalem, the Lord of Hosts, the King of Glory; and “the Lord shall be king over all the earth” (Zech. 14:9). Meanwhile, we can triumph in life through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 2:14) and be “more than conquerors” through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:31–39).
As children of God, we belong to three worlds: the world of creation around us, the world of the new creation within us (2 Cor. 5:17), and “the world to come” of the wonderful final creation that will be our home for eternity (Rev. 21–22). (Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be worshipful (1st ed., pp. 100–101). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.)
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24:8–10. David then gave an explanation. By question and answer he stated that this King of glory is the Lord, who is mighty in battle. The Lord had shown Himself strong by giving them great victories; so He is the glorious King who will enter the city. One can visualize a procession of triumphant Israelites carrying the ark, the symbol of the Lord’s presence, going up to the sanctuary to praise Him. The ideas in the exhortation (v. 7) and the explanation (v. 8) were repeated in verses 9–10. The repetition stressed the point: The Lord is a glorious King who is coming in. Only pure worshipers can enjoy
His presence. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 812–813). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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This stirring challenge and response (which may have been ritually enacted at the arrival of David’s procession at the gates) brings before us in the fewest of words the towering stature of the unseen King, the age-old fortress he is entering to make his own (see the opening comments on the psalm), and the link between this climax and the earlier history of redemption—for the expression mighty in battle is but a stronger form of God’s title of ‘warrior’ first heard in the song of victory at the Red Sea (Exod. 15:3). The ascent completes a march begun in Egypt; indeed the psalms that are quoted in 1 Chronicles 16 as sung on this occasion look back as far as Abraham and on to the coming of the Lord as Judge. If the earth is his (1, 2) and he is holy (3–6), the challenge to the ‘ancient doors’ is not an exercise in pageantry, but (as in 2 Cor. 10:3–5) a battle-cry for the church. (Kidner, D. (1973). Psalms 1–72: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 15, pp. 132–133). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Paul is not able to visit Thessalonica so he sends Timothy instead.
INSIGHT
Affliction is part of life. Sometimes circumstances afflict us; sometimes other people afflict us; sometimes we afflict ourselves. In the midst of affliction, we need encouragement. Paul writes that he sent Timothy to visit the Thessalonians “to establish and encourage” them because of their afflictions (vv. 2-3). Paul feared for their spiritual well-being. When we see others in the midst of affliction, we should be quick to encourage them. Rebuke, exhortation, counsel, and instruction all have their time and place, but encouragement is one of the most powerful ministries on earth. (Quiet Walk)
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Paul’s method of ministry is described. He communicates the Gospel with love and integrity.
INSIGHT
Whenever the message of your words and the message of your actions conflict, the message of your actions will always win out. You may speak gruffly but act kindly, and you will be known as having a hard shell but being a “softie” on the inside. Or you may speak well but act selfishly, and you will be known as a hypocrite. There is no accusation leveled at Christians more consistently than that of hypocrisy. Our lives must support the reality of the Gospel, or the Gospel will not be taken seriously and we will be resented. Paul writes: “We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives” (v. 8). Unless we are willing to impart our lives in ministry … (Quiet Walk)
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HOW TO TEST THE SPIRITS
…try the spirits… 1 John 4:1
How is this testing to be done? How are we to know whether certain spirits are true or false?
There are those who claim that the gifts of the Spirit are absolutely essential, and that unless men and women are able to manifest certain gifts of the Spirit, they have not received the Spirit. They say, for example, “You have not received the Holy Spirit unless you are able to speak in tongues or have done this or that.” They refer to a particular gift, and they say that if you have not experienced that, you have not received the Spirit, in spite of the fact that the apostle Paul asks the question, “Do all speak with tongues?”(1 Corinthians 12:30). The whole of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians is designed to show that the gifts are distributed by the Spirit. He may or may not give these gifts, and the manifestation of gifts is not an essential proof of the possession of the Spirit.
But let me go on to particular matters. A very dangerous way of testing or examining the claim to having the Spirit is to judge in terms of phenomena, as in the gift of healing or the particular result of a ministry. These are the tests that are put up. People say, “Surely this man must be right. Haven’t you heard what he has been doing? Haven’t you heard of the cures he is able to bring about? Look at the results he has had.” The test of phenomena, taken alone, is an extremely dangerous one because evil spirits can work miracles; our Lord warned His followers that these spirits would be able to do such marvelous works.
The fact that people are full of fervor does not imply that they have the Holy Spirit. Evil spirits are often very fervent. Great excitement is not a proof of the Spirit; great energy is not a proof of the Spirit; much assurance or confidence is not a proof of the Spirit.
A Thought to Ponder: The test of phenomena, taken alone, is an extremely dangerous one because evil spirits can work miracles.
(From The Love of God, pp. 21-22, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Creation and the Finger of God
“It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” (Exodus 31:17-18)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), but this portion of Scripture was given by direct inscription of God! Moses testified: “The LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly” (Deuteronomy 9:10). “He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28). Thus, out of all the Holy Scriptures, God chose to write this section, not through one of His prophets, but with His own finger! It should, therefore, be taken literally and most seriously.
It is also significant that these commandments were structured around a weekly day of rest, “remembering” God’s creation week—six days of creating and making everything in heaven and Earth, followed by a sanctified day of rest and refreshment (note also Exodus 20:8-11 and Genesis 1:31–2:3). Ever since the creation, people have observed a weekly calendar. The seven-day week (unlike the day, month, and year) has no astronomical basis. People keep time in weeks simply because God did! Even those who deny the six-day week of creation must observe it, for their biological rhythms are constructed that way by God. “The sabbath was made for man,” said Jesus (Mark 2:27). Since God considered the truth of the literal creation week so important that He inscribed it Himself, we should believe this portion of His Word first of all.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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TRUTH AND ERROR
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12
An important reason for testing and trying the spirits is the evidence provided by the long history of the church of the havoc that has often been wrought in the church because people would not try and test the spirits, because they said, “I have received such a wonderful experience, and therefore I must be right.” What we are concerned about is not a matter of sincerity and honesty—we are concerned about truth and error, and truth and error have to be defined.
Is this something only for theologians and professors of theology or for ministers and leaders? Is it only for certain people? The answer is that it is for all. “Beloved”—he is writing to the average church member—“believe not every spirit, but try the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Later on he says, “Ye are of God, little children” (verse 4), and I think he used the expression “little children” deliberately—“you, the ordinary church members, little children—you hear us because you are of the truth.”
It is the duty and the business of everyone examining the name Christian to be in a position to try and examine and test the spirits. Indeed, we are given the power to do so—“greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We have been given this capacity by God through the Holy Spirit; the Spirit dwells in us, and therefore we have this power of discrimination and understanding. The apostle Paul tells us that at great length in 1 Corinthians. For example, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). That is it!
A Thought to Ponder
We are concerned about truth and error, and truth and error have to be defined.
(From The Love of God, pp.18-20, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Counting God
“Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?” (Job 31:4)
God is surely the Great Mathematician. All the intricacies of structure and process of His mighty cosmos are, at least in principle, capable of being described mathematically, and the goal of science is to do just that. This precise intelligibility of the universe clearly points to a marvelous intelligence as its Creator.
God even “telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names” (Psalm 147:4). Astronomers estimate that at least 10 trillion trillion stars exist in the heavens, and God has counted and identified each one! And that is not all: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered,” Jesus said (Matthew 10:30). From the most massive star to the tiniest hair, God has counted each component of His creation.
Such countings are far beyond human capabilities, for “the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured” (Jeremiah 33:22). But God has also created “an innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22) and has promised that the redeemed will include “a great multitude, which no man could number” (Revelation 7:9).
No wonder David exclaimed, “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5).
Perhaps the most wonderful of all God’s counting activities is that implied in Job’s rhetorical question: “Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?” If He has numbered the hairs on our heads, we can be certain He numbers our steps along the way and guides them all. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Reaching Others for Jesus
Go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19
A decade ago, they didn’t know the name of Jesus. Hidden in the mountains of Mindanao in the Philippines, the Banwaon people had little contact with the outside world. A trip for supplies could take two days, requiring an arduous hike over rugged terrain. The world took no notice of them.
Then a mission group reached out, shuttling people in and out of the region via helicopter. This gained the Banwaon access to needed supplies, crucial medical help, and an awareness of the larger world. It also introduced them to Jesus. Now, instead of singing to the spirits, they chant their traditional tribal songs with new words that praise the one true God. Mission aviation established the critical link.
When Jesus returned to His heavenly Father, He gave His disciples these instructions: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). That command still stands.
Unreached people groups aren’t limited to exotic locales we haven’t heard of. Often, they live among us. Reaching the Banwaon people took creativity and resourcefulness, and it inspires us to find creative ways to overcome the barriers in our communities. That might include an “inaccessible” group you haven’t even considered—someone right in your neighborhood. How might God use you to reach others for Jesus?
By Tim Gustafson (Our Daily Bread)
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The Only One – By Anne C. Neale
Every believer has the same rules
The 10 Commandments were given to us
God wanted us to follow all these rules
God is righteous and God we trust
God always wants the best for us
He is even planning for us to have better things
Have love and faith and hope in God
God is the only one we can completely trust.
So trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding.
I know that is what Mom would want all of us to do. You are loved!
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“These were potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.”
—1 Chronicles 4:23
Potters were not the very highest grade of workers, but “the king” needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord’s work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for “the king”; and therefore, we will abide in our calling, hoping that, “although we have lien among the pots, yet shall we be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” The text tells us of those who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and ditching work to do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king’s work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt “with the king” and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there. No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however mean, can debar us from communion with our divine Lord. In visiting hovels, swarming lodging-houses, workhouses, or jails, we may go with the king. In all works of faith, we may count upon Jesus’ fellowship. It is when we are in his work that we may reckon upon his smile. Ye, unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills ere now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ill weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell ye with the King for his work, and when he writes his chronicles your name shall be recorded. (Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster.)
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“He humbled himself.”
—Philippians 2:8
Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. We need daily to learn of him. See the Master taking a towel and washing his disciples’ feet! Follower of Christ, wilt thou not humble thyself? See him as the Servant of servants, and surely thou canst not be proud! Is not this sentence the compendium of his biography, “He humbled himself”? Was he not on earth always stripping off first one robe of honour and then another, till, naked, he was fastened to the cross, and there did he not empty out his inmost self, pouring out his life-blood, giving up for all of us, till they laid him penniless in a borrowed grave? How low was our dear Redeemer brought! How then can we be proud? Stand at the foot of the cross, and count the purple drops by which you have been cleansed; see the thorn-crown; mark his scourged shoulders, still gushing with encrimsoned rills; see hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and his whole self to mockery and scorn; see the bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward grief, showing themselves in his outward frame; hear the thrilling shriek, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And if you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross, you have never seen it: if you are not humbled in the presence of Jesus, you do not know him. You were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God’s only begotten. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you, bow yourself in lowliness at his feet. A sense of Christ’s amazing love to us has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt. May the Lord bring us in contemplation to Calvary, then our position will no longer be that of the pompous man of pride, but we shall take the humble place of one who loves much because much has been forgiven him. Pride cannot live beneath the cross. Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice. (Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster.)
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1 Kings 2
David charges Solomon with the urgency of living for the Lord.
INSIGHT
Parts of the Old Testament tax our understanding and our acceptance.
First, we do not understand much about Judaism, the Law, and Old Testament
culture and customs. Second, many of the events are violations of God’s desires-though that is not explained to us. And finally, God deals with men differently in the Old Testament than in the New Testament.
While not all things are easily explained, in chapter 2, Solomon takes vengeance only upon all those people who had already committed acts that were punishable by death. This doesn’t answer every problem we might have with this difficult chapter, but it is a beginning. (Quiet Walk)
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Your Past Condition
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)
Three concise descriptions are given in Scripture of how God sees all sinners prior to the creation of the second birth in us.
We were dead in trespasses (activities) and sins (character, attitude, condition). The result was that we were unable to understand or seek God on our own (Romans 3:10-11). Nor are we able to know the things of God by our own intellectual prowess (1 Corinthians 2:14).
- We “walked according to the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2), in bondage to the world (Galatians 4:3) and blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
- We are by “nature the children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Both our natural desires (Ephesians 5:5-6) and our willing unbelief (John 3:36) put us under an ever-increasing wrathful judgment of God (Romans 2:5-9).
The transformation performed by God on us can only be “his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10). It involves God’s rich mercy and great love (Ephesians 2:4) to make us alive when we were dead (see John 5:21-24; Romans 6:4-6, 9-11). That power raises and seats us with God in the heavens (Ephesians 2:6). That grace is effected through faith, and even “that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Whatever being twice-born may ultimately involve, it assures us of permanent status as the chosen, holy ones of God (Romans 8:29-39), “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
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