Tag Archives: Bible

The Word Endureth

Posted on by
Reply

p7050022~1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

The phrase, “the word of the Lord,” appears 255 times in the King James Bible. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have been contacted by readers criticizing the fact that I believe that the Bible is the sole authority to the Christian. If God sees fit to put the phrase, “the word of the Lord,” 255 times in the Bible, then it must be important!

I found it interesting that the last time it appears in the Bible is found in 1 Peter. Peter said that God’s Word would endure forever! God doesn’t need man to add it to His Word or even make it better or clearer. He is perfectly capable of giving us His complete words in one book. After all, He is God!

How full of pride man is to think he can add or take away from God’s word!

Being Christ-Like

Posted on by
4


being-more-like-christPhilippians 1:21 – For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

Shouldn’t this be our goal as Christians? Isn’t that what a disciple is all about? I dare say that I fall short every day :-( Just how does one go about seeing Christ in the mirror instead of our own reflection?

1 John 2:6 – He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Walking in Him … Walking in the Saviour’s steps – in His path. What is His path? Psalm 119:105 has the answer for us. It is His Word that guides us and molds us into His image. If you think you’re going to grow in Christ and “look” like Him with only five minutes in your Bible per day, you’re sadly mistakened.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Christ is our example – His Holy Spirit is our Teacher who point us to that example!

Read, Christian – READ!

Truth

Posted on by
Reply

~Luke 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

As Luke begins this glorious Gospel, he states a clear objective, “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” This presents for our consideration a simple, yet profound, principle.

Truth is absolute and certain. God wants us to know
THE CERTAINTY OF TRUTH.

This detail is of definite importance in our day, as truth is usually considered to be anything but certain. Many present truth as being relative; and thus, its meaning will depend on our circumstances or situations. Rather than being fixed and unchanging, truth is often seen to be in a state of flux or evolution. Others seem to genuinely believe that some truth is outdated or irrelevant because it clashes with contemporary thinking. Still others assume that cultures or traditions make truth irrelevant. Yet this is not the message of the Word of God. The Bible’s purpose is to help us know “the certainty” of truth. God’s Word, like God Himself, is forever unchanging. This is one of the foundational doctrines of Scripture. God is faithful, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His Word is likewise forever “settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Our view of truth will greatly affect the way we receive it, believe it, and obey it.

Knowing THE CERTAINTY OF TRUTH helps strengthen our confidence
in the promises and principles of the Bible.

Because we know the “certainty of those things” wherein we have been taught, we can believe them without reservation. It is the work of Satan to cast doubt on the integrity of the Word of God. Unfortunately, the devil has many assistants in his cause to delude those who might waver from their steadfastness, including those who claim to be Bible scholars or teachers. Classrooms and pulpits today are occupied with false prophets who undermine “the certainty” of the Holy Scriptures. Rather than presenting the Bible as a Book of “certainty,” they take the position that it contains error or contradiction. According to these heretics, it then falls upon us to determine which parts are true, which are uninspired, and which are symbolic, even if they are presented as factual. This is nonsense! God’s Word is to be taught and received as truth that can be accepted and believed with “certainty.”

Today’s Ponderings – Precious Part 1

Posted on by
Reply

~Job 28:18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies.

 

~Matthew 13:45-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

I heard a message recently where the preacher said that there were three things that were precious in this world: pearls, diamonds and gold. I thought it would be nice to cover these precious items over the next three days and see what we can learn from these precious items, but from a biblical perspective :) We’ll start off with pearls.

The first time the word “pearl” is mentioned in the Scriptures is in Job 28:18. Job is trying to explain the worth of wisdom. There’s a reason why a pearl is mentioned here for everything in God’s Word is there for a reason and that is to teach us.

Do you know how a pearl is made? As an oyster grows, the shell must also grow. Within the oyster is an organ called the mantle. It’s this organ that produces the shell from the food which the oyster ingests. The mantle produces the material called nacre – this is what lines the inside of the shell. When a foreign substance enters between the mantle and the shell, it causes an irritation in the mantle. It’s like having a pebble in your shoe :) When this irritation occurs, the oyster tries to cover up the irritant with more nacre. Eventually, a pearl is formed :) What a beautiful result from an irritant!!!

So what can we learn from the pearl? Do you have irritants in your life? We all do, don’t we? Those irritants in life are able to help us form the pearls in our lives :) Christ gave us our first “pearl,” known as the pearl of great price (our salvation).

The rest are created by us. Just as the oyster is responsible for covering his irritants with his nacre, so are we responsible for covering our irritants with our own nacre, God’s Word :) After our salvation, our lives can/should produce more “pearls” as evidence of our walk with the Lord, amen? Each time we experience an irritation and apply that “nacre” (the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, peace, joy, patience, etc.) to overcome each irritant, we are working on building beautiful pearls :) We need to gain wisdom from God’s Word (that precious nacre) and allow it to speak to us and to “cover” our irritants. Each time we put another layer over our irritant, we are able to handle that irritation better than the time before – great or small!

So how many pearls will you end up “producing” in your Christian walk? Learn from the oyster and its nacre – use your nacre, the Bible, to help you cover your irritations in life :) Tomorrow we’ll take a look at diamonds and see what we can learn from them!

Today’s Ponderings – Scotty, I need more power!

Posted on by
2

Oh the memory of watching Star Trek as a kid and hearing Captain Kirk demand “Scotty, we need more power!” :-)  The Enterprise could not accomplish its task without more power!

How true this is for the lost world.  Our power is not a joke, however.  It is not some science fiction story. Unlike Scotty, Jesus can provide this power and has shown us exactly where to find our power:

~Mark 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Jesus said the Pharisees “erred” because they didn’t know their Bible, which was the power of God! The word “err” is not just making a mistake.  This word actually means so much more when one looks up its meaning in the Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary (this was the dictionary of words used at the time the King James Bible was translated into English in 1611):

1. To wander from the right way; to deviate from the true course or purpose.

But errs not nature from this gracious end, From burning suns when livid deaths descend?

2. To miss the right way, in morals or religion; to deviate from the path or line of duty; to stray by design or mistake.

We have erred and strayed like lost sheep.

(Picture a cartoon man with bulging eyes due to surprise :-))  Jesus said the Pharisees erred because they didn’t know the Scriptures!  Furthermore, He reminded them that this is where they would find the power of God!  As you read the Bible reference again, insert the true definition of the word “err.”  The Pharisees wandered from the right way.  They deviated from the true course.  They missed the whole point of Judaism!  The Jews were given God’s Word (Romans 3:2) and they were responsible for obeying it, teaching it and abiding by it.  (Deuteronomy 11:18-22) They lost this command and wandered away from their path, their line of duty!

This is where our power lies, friend.  It is the Word of God through the King James Bible. Just as God provided the Oracles to one people and entrusted it in their care to pass it on and share with others, so have we been entrusted.  People have fought and died in order to preserve the very words of God – our power lies within the precious pages of our Bible.  It is here that the Christian gets the encouragement, teaching and power to live a Godly life. Is it any wonder we see a decline in moral values?  The world does not want to have anything to do with God’s Word.  It explains why they work so hard to remove prayer and the Ten Commandments from public places – they do not want to be reminded of their own sins.

Even Christians are without power in their own spiritual lives because their daily Bible reading is over in a “microwave minute”! The devil has succeeded in placing over 200 different Bible versions out there so that Christendom has come to believe that the true words of God have been changed so much through the ages that they “really don’t exist in true form.”  This is just not so and is a lie from the pits of hell.  God is able to preserve His Word and has preserved each and every word.  The Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35) and God is not a liar (Numbers 23:19).  If He says His Word is preserved, He means it. (Psalms 12:6-7)

This is where our power lies – our power unto salvation (Romans 1:16) and power to live Godly lives.  Our Bible reading should not be condensed in a microwave minute but should be enjoyed and savored like a well prepared, seven course meal :-)

Question of the Day – Why Should the Bible be our Final Authority

Posted on by
1

~John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Jesus spoke the words in today’s text.  He made it very clear that it was by His words that would pass judgment on man kind.  Those who reject Him and do not receive His words will be judged according to His words.  (John 1:1) Since mankind will be judged according to what is in the Scriptures, then it must be our final authority in all matters.

When we break the law of the land by speeding, we will be judged by a paragraph and section in the book of statutes for that jurisdiction.  The ticket issued lists the section of the code of law that has been broken.  I imagine Judgment Day to be the same.  The books will be opened and man will be judged according to the Bible book, chapter and verse which has been broken.

God’s words have been present amongst mankind for thousands of years.  God’s words were initially entrusted to the Jews and then to the Christians.

~Romans 3:1-2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Man’s argument is that the Bible was written by man.  But God knew this would be an argument and He included the Scriptures to refute them.

~2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

One of the Holy Ghost’s tasks was to record God’s words in a book by working through men.  The mention of  God commanding to write things “in a book” occurs 12 times throughout the Scriptures. His words are important and are not only to be used to judge us when we die, but also to help us while we are living.

~2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture {is} given by inspiration of God, and {is} profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

We are to apply God’s words to our everyday lives in order to become more Christ-like in our walk.  It is the word of God that cleanses us and it should be our plumb line in our decision making. (Psalm 119:9)  I’ve been told by religious people who do not believe that the Bible is our final authority that I am interpreting my way. However, God’s word contained Scripture to refute them:

~2 Peter 1:20-21 (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake {as they were} moved by the Holy Ghost.

It amazes me that the religious crowd can adopt their church’s traditions as their final authority but yet they cannot read 2 Peter 1:20-21 in context.  These verses are not difficult to understand. The fact of the matter is that those who do not hold the Bible as their final authority are those who are afraid of what it contains.  The exhortations in Scriptures put man-made laws and religious works in the light in which they should be viewed – evil and from the devil. Man-made religion does not want its followers to read the Bible because they will receive God’s words and HE will expose religious heresies!

~Hebrews 4:12 (12) For the word of God {is} quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and {is} a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God promises us that none of His words will return empty and fruitless.  There is power in His words and they have the power to draw one to salvation despite of man-made religion. (Romans 1:16)

~Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper {in the thing} whereto I sent it.

As well, those who do not believe in the Bible as their final authority also do not want their followers to search the Scriptures because their false doctrine will be exposed.  The Scriptures lead us to see our sin (the Ten Commandments) and they also lead us to salvation.

~John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

The Bible says that we must be born again, plain and simple.  Not born again at birth (John 3) but born again to a new life.  When one says they are born again after their physical birth when then they are baptized, they are ignorant of the word of God.  God says that we must repent and have faith.  (Acts 20:21) A baby cannot repent of its sins and have faith.  This is the corruptible seed of false doctrine which results in religion that does not hold the Scriptures as their final authority.

~1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

David knew the importance of God’s words.  He realized that there was nothing that could refute what God had spoken. God’s words are forever settled.

~Psalms 33:8-11 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

~1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh {is} as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

~Psalms 18:30 {As for} God, his way {is} perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he {is} a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Nothing will supersede the word of God: not government’s laws, not man’s laws, not your church’s traditions, not your parents’ religion … nothing! God’s words are eternal and will be what is used to judge all mankind.  I don’t know about you, but if I am going to be judged by something, I would want to know what it was. I keep the laws of my State because I know most of the laws.  However, I will still be judged and held accountable for those laws which I don’t know.  For example, it is against the law in my State for someone to spit on the sidewalk.  Just because I didn’t know about it when I spit on the sidewalk, does not mean that I am exempt from that law. Absolutely not! I am accountable because I am a citizen of that State.

We will be held accountable according to the words of God written in our final authority, the Scriptures. You can’t hide your head in the sand and say you didn’t know.  It won’t matter because God gives everyone an opportunity (especially today when there’s a Bible in every household) to know His word.

~Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.


Resting in Psalms – Day 16

Posted on by
Reply

~Psalm 117:1-2 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.

Today’s text is so short but it is packed with blessing! The Psalmist is exhorting us to praise the Lord. Why? Psalm 117:2 says that God’s merciful kindness is great toward us! Amen to that! If it weren’t for the Lord Jesus Christ saving my soul over 30 years ago, I would be dead and burning in Hell! That’s great mercy! But the latter part of verse 2 says that the Lord’s truth endures forever! Then the Psalmist tells us to praise the Lord again! We ought to praise God for showing His great mercy toward us by preserving His truth – His word!

God’s truth will endure forever! Endure what?  Let’s stop and meditate on these verses as the Lord reveals His word to us, amen? I am currently doing a study on Bible versions and the history of God’s words preserved through these thousands of years. Countless men and women have been killed over the preservation of God’s word. It did not take Satan long before he started corrupting the word of God – in fact, he began this corruption by causing doubt and actually changing what God said in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1).

It amazes me that you can discuss the preservation of God’s word with Christians today and they doubt that there is a true copy God’s word available to us today. Yet these same Christians believe that God created the universe and all that is in it. Why does their faith stop with creation, I wonder?  Can not this same God preserve His word?  God tells us that He can in His word so why are there doubts today?

Jesus said that God’s word is true and sanctifies (sets apart) the believer.

~John 17:17-19 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Is it any wonder that the devil would try to corrupt it or have people wonder if it even exists?  Satan does not want Christians to be sanctified.  He wants Christians to be powerless.  Furthermore, he does not want anyone coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, he has succeeded in producing 200+ bible versions out there which could not lead a horse to water, let alone a man to salvation.

God is not a liar, like man (Romans 3:4). He speaks the truth through His word. In fact, His word is more important to God than His very name!

~Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Since God holds His own word above His own name (He magnifies it), it stands to reason that He would preserve it through the centuries and make sure that His creation would have His true words so they could find His blessed gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ!

~Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

I encourage anyone who is reading to do a study on the history of God’s word and the corruption of the texts through the ages. You must know that God would not give us 200+ versions of His word to cause confusion for His creation.  That has never been His intention. It is, however, the intention of Satan to change, pervert and corrupt (Genesis 3:1).  He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and he hates truth!  It is not rocket science – this should be evident to all Christians yet many are convinced that we cannot possibly have the preserved words of God!

The Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. It is also found in Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33.

Christian, you believe that God can keep your salvation – why can you not believe that He can keep His word? You cannot escape God’s truth. The devil wants you to but you cannot escape God’s word.

~Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

I encourage each reader to study the history of the words of God as I have. We have God’s word in the English language and it is not contained in 200+ versions. Men and women died preserving the manuscripts throughout the years and, yes, God’s word does exist in the King James Bible. Don’t be deceived that you have to have a modern English translation to understand. That is just another ploy of Satan’s to keep you from the truth. God can preserve His words – don’t buy that lie from the pits of Hell.

A closing thought – as I was studying, one of the defenses used by those pushing the modern versions was that their manuscripts were in excellent shape and older than the manuscript used for the Kind James translation.  Friend, pause for a moment – do you have a favorite book on your book shelf that you have read over and over?  You’ve dog-eared the pages and the pages are worn from reading over and over.  A well read manuscript would be worn out – after all, they were written on papyrus.  It would not be in perfect condition.  I would be more concerned about a manuscript that was in mint condition – which would tell me it was never used. Is it any wonder that the manuscripts from the Authorized Version (AV) are newer than the corrupt manuscripts because the older ones were so used they fell apart? A well read and beloved book does not stay on a bookshelf! Many have died making sure that God’s word would be preserved through the ages.  Yes, man can fail – but God cannot fail – He is perfect!

The picture above was taken by a sweet Christian lady, Connie Wentworth and used here with her permission. Her pictures are mostly taken in the State of Maine and depict God’s glorious creation! Thank you, Connie, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Thought for the Day – Confused Yet?

Posted on by
1

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8 ) I’m sure we can all say that we’ve been to a similar cross-roads in our life, can’t we? I know I can. It seems like just when I thought I was on the right path, the rug was pulled from underneath me and wham! I didn’t know in which direction I should go! Or just when life was smooth sailing and there were no obstacles in the road, hurdles arose and I felt like my world was falling apart!

I’m so thankful for my salvation! I’m so thankful for God’s Holy word which encourages my heart through these obstacles and hurdles and shows me that my Heavenly Father loves me and will help me through these difficult times. And you know what, my friend? He’s there waiting to do the same for you! Our Heavenly Father loves us so much! He does not want to see us in a state of confusion. The Christian needs to be a testimony to a lost and dying world. The world is confused and they are the ones that need direction. How can we show them the way if we are living in confusion? How can we be a testimony to them if we do not have the peace that passes all understanding?

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (5) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (6) What do you “look” like when you’re going through trials and tribulations? What does the world see in you when your life is filled with confusion? Do you look like our friend here? Or are you secure in the Lord, knowing that He will work out every situation in your life? There is no greater testimony than when the world sees us rise above chaos. They don’t understand how we can do it. Are you going through family problems right now? How are you dealing with it? Are you going to work complaining to your unsaved friends at work? Or do they see you calm and collected because you started your day off with the Lord and laid those cares at His feet?

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22) Our Father wants to be there for us and He is there for us. He is able and desiring to take on our burdens. Don’t you want your children to come to you with their cares? You would hate it if you knew they were keeping everything inside and they were miserable, wouldn’t you? Our God says to cast our burdens on Him and He shall (not maybe) sustain us! The Lord does not stop there either! He continues on to say that He shall never allow the righteous to be moved! Notice this refers to the righteous. None of us are righteous. All our righteousness are as filthy rags according to: But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6) But because of our salvation, Jesus’ righteousness is what the Father sees. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30) When we abide in Him and in His word, the Lord encourages our hearts. We cannot do it apart from the word of God, my friend. Without spending time in the Bible, one cannot expect to be encouraged in a time of confusion.

God wants to give us strength through the wisdom of the Bible. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:29) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5) How can you pass a test without studying? How can you know the end of that novel you’re reading without first reading it? How can you glean from the blessings of the promises in the Scriptures when you don’t spend time searching for them? A baby can only drink milk for so long. He then must move on to baby food then solid food. Without this natural progression, the baby will grow very slowly and will be sickly. Paul compared believers in this same light. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (Hebrews 5:13) My friend, God says you are “unskilful” in the Bible because you are a spiritual baby. Does this not shame you? It should!

There are so many promises in God’s word to the believer. Confusion should not be part of our daily lives – instead we should have peace because we have given our cares to the One who not only can handle them but can solve every problem. God waits to show us the way to go. We don’t have to go down the path of confusion. God’s way may not always be clear but His way always brings peace if we go to the one map that guides us without error – the Bible. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8 )

Thought for the Day – Setting Ourselves Apart

Posted on by
Reply

~2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. ~1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 

Sanctified – a setting apart … We are sanctified when we are born again because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. However, every day we should be growing in Christ, as we study and learn from His word. As new Christians, we don’t automatically become spiritually perfect or mature.  Just as a baby is not born as a wise adult, neither are new born babes in Christ!  It takes time – it takes reading the Bible and applying its wisdom to our lives! I love the message God gives us through the life of a butterfly. While in its cocoon, the butterfly struggles to be free. To watch it struggling, one is tempted to help this butterfly along. But in so doing, we deprive that butterfly of the strength it gains during its struggle. Helping it only kills it. So is the Christian. We need the struggles in our Christian walk so we can turn to the Scriptures and allow it to heal us. The more we break free from sin, we become conformed to Christ’s image. We can rid ourselves of the sin that so easily besets us and be set free like the butterfly.

Noah Webster defines sanctification as “The act of making holy.” God commands us to be holy as He is holy.

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 20:7)

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (1 Peter 1:15)

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

I found it interesting that this statement from God is found three times in the Bible. Our Three-in-One God is a holy God. We will never reach a perfected state of holiness in this lifetime but we are to be a constant “work in progress” as we walk the pilgrim’s path on earth. We sanctify ourselves through our daily time spent in God’s word. His word then washes us as we apply its applications to our lives. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26) We can read the Bible faithfully every day – but without applying it to our lives, it is of no value. A police officer can look at body armor all he wants and admire how it can protect his body from bullets. However, the body armor does him no good if he does not put it on for protection.

The word of God is just not for reading, my friend. The Bible convicts the heart of sin. If we do nothing with that conviction, what good is it? The word of God is truth and leads us in the path of becoming more like the Father, thus fulfilling His command to be holy as He is holy.  It can be done! People use their laziness as an excuse to not be separate from the world; but this is not so. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

Jesus was our perfect example of One who practiced sanctification. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (John 17:19) As we study the Bible, learn about Jesus and how He lived His life, we learn of His meekness, His faithfulness and His love; afterwards we should apply what we have read to our own lives. We learn how His desire was to seek the Father’s will and not His own. So should we, as children of the Living God, work diligently weeding out sin in our lives. The more we work to be more like Christ, the more sanctified (set apart) we will become. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; (1 Thessalonians 4:4) Emphasis mine. We are to know how to do this. We cannot know without being in God’s word! The more we love Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the more we will want to work towards eliminating known sin from our lives.

This is the difference between a Christian who is moving forward in his spiritual walk and one that is at a stand still. Twice Paul spoke of those who were still babes in Christ because they did not get into the meat of the word of God – they were still drinking milk. 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. (1 Corinthians 3:2) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12) A pool of water that is still (or stagnant), develops scum and the waters become green with algae.  However, water that is kept moving and aerated remains fresh and living creatures can make their home in it.  Remember the pool at Bethesda? (John 5:1-9)  While the waters were still, no one was able to be healed of infirmities. However, when the angel stirred the waters, the first one who went into the waters was healed. No spiritual growth can come out of a stagnant Christian life.  Jesus Christ has the water of life (John 4:14) and your heart must be stirred and renewed before you can make any progress.

My friend, repentance brings forth sanctification. One cannot say he is growing in Christ if he is continuing in the same sin. Are you struggling with a particular sin? Until you have forsaken it, you cannot grow more into the image of Christ. I truly believe that many Christians have become complacent to their sin and are satisfied with living with known sin. They live a life of delusion and they will not be a vessel meet for the Master’s use. What kind of vessel are you today? Are you enjoying a Christian life sanctifying yourself daily so the Master can use you? Or are you satisfied with the way you are now, not interested in setting yourself apart from the world? Only you can answer this and only you can change the answer.

Thought for the Day – No Offense

Posted on by
Reply

~Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 

I have loved this verse for many years now. The Lord first gave it to me when I was going through some very difficult trials in my life. When God would speak to me through the Pastor’s messages, I did not like what I was hearing. I did not want to follow the guidance the man of God was clearly preaching. What he was preaching was too hard for me and I felt that it was too much to bear. Sometimes we look at our trials as a whole and get discouraged. This is what I did. I would look at the big picture, hear the preaching and think to myself that God didn’t know what He was asking me to do! Was I ever wrong!!

When the Lord gave Psalm 119:165 to me, it was as though He had reached down and hugged this child. He spoke to me through His word and said that if I love the Scriptures, nothing in it will cause me to fall or stumble. He would not ask me to do anything that would be bad for me. So, I obeyed the Lord through the preaching and did what was asked. The end result was one of great peace. All the fears I had of what might happen, never happened. I feared the unknown and feared what God would have me to do – all for nothing. The Bible assured me peace if I followed it and it was true!

I pray that you would glean from that testimony and apply it to your own life. I pray that you will see this verse as one that will bring life changing results to you. Let’s look at it and pick it apart this morning. The Greek word for “offend” is

H4383
מכשׁל מכשׁול
mikshôl mikshôl
mik-shole’, mik-shole’
Masculine from H3782; a stumblingblock, literally or figuratively (obstacle, enticement (specifically an idol), scruple): – caused to fall, offence, X [no-] thing offered, ruin, stumbling-block.

Noah Webster also defines the word in the same manner:

6. To disturb, annoy, or cause to fall or stumble. Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119.

What a blessing this is. God’s word will never bring you harm, my friend. You may hear some hard preaching and refuse to apply it to your life because you feel it is too hard or it will create problems. But God’s word says otherwise. The Scriptures are not offensive. He would never give us something that would cause us to stumble – It only promises peace.

You may be thinking that you already know this. But let me ask you this. Have you heard a message recently where the Pastor says “A Christian should not be  _______!” (fill in the blank)? Were you guilty of whatever it was he said you should not do? If you were guilty, did you stop doing it? Or did you shrug it off. If you shrugged it off, you are sinning. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15) God’s man has been given to your church to feed you from the Scriptures so you can grow in knowledge and understanding, my friend. The Holy Spirit cannot do a work in you if you are not going to respond to the message God has laid on his heart. The ‘guilty’ feeling you have inside is the Holy Spirit acknowledging that what you have heard is an area that God wants you to work on. When your Pastor brings your name up before God in prayer, is he able to do so with joy or with grief? If it is with grief, the Bible says it is unprofitable to you.

We all have an area in life where we struggle. Why do we think that ours is unique and is just too great to give up? Don’t be angry with the Preacher for preaching God’s word. If you are, Psalm 119:165 cannot be a verse you can claim. Instead, submit to the preaching and allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in you. There is nothing that you are experiencing right now that you cannot overcome, my friend. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

God promises peace and He gives peace. The only thing we have to do to obtain that peace is to be in His word. How hard is that? D.L. Moody once said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” If things are going wrong and you are overwhelmed, look at your Bible life. I have met Christians who are going through tremendous trials but I would never know it. These Christians are in their Bible and applying it to their lives as they glean God’s peace.

Why struggle when you can have that sweet peace that only God can give His children? He waits to give it to you. Why ignore Him? Spending time in the word of God and yielding yourself to it produces that peace. Your trials may not go away but the Lord will give you that peace which is beyond understanding! (Philippians 4:7) These negative people seem to enjoy living this way – constantly defeated. Do you actually enjoy the unrest in your spirit? Do you actually want to continue to live with such a dark cloud over you? Maybe you are the kind of person who loves the attention you get because of it. Believe me, the only attention you are getting is from people who are in the same situation as you are. You are like a person who is drowning – you are looking to others who cannot swim to help you. Instead, you should be looking to others who can provide you with a life preserver!

You can turn yourself around, you know. Sure it will mean setting aside time to read the Bible and study it. Sure it will mean that you will have to apply what you learn and give up those sins that God places on your heart. Sure it will take an effort on your part, but wouldn’t it be worth it? If you’re miserable, Christian, it’s because you choose to be miserable. The sad thing is that you bring down those around you, too. You will have much to account for when you stand before the Lord. Wouldn’t it be easier to submit to God’s word today? Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. (Isaiah 26:12)