“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God has a way of showing His mercy and compassions every day. We have a way of being fearful that we will not make it tomorrow.
Jeremiah reminds us that He is God every day. He was faithful and dependable in His mercy and compassions today. They will be fresh and renewed in the morning because His faithfulness never fails.
What do you fear that might happen tomorrow? Trust the Lord with it. Go to bed. Go to sleep. The God who watched over you today watches over you while you sleep and when you awaken in the morning you can depend on Him to be present with all His compassions and mercies.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
The Unseen Christ
“Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed’” (John 20:29)
It was a week after the resurrection when Jesus made His second appearance to His disciples. In the appearance a week before Thomas was not present and told the others that he would have to see Jesus before he could believe. And now Jesus appears and Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God.”
The Ethiopian eunuch declared to Philip, “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He had never seen Jesus but believed. The Philippian jailer asked, ‘What must I do to be saved?” He was told, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” He had never seen Jesus but he believed and was saved.
You and I have never seen Jesus but we believe and “rejoice with joy unspeakable…” (I Peter 1:8) People around the world who have never seen the Lord are being saved because they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was a week after the resurrection when Jesus made His second appearance to His disciples. In the appearance a week before Thomas was not present and told the others that he would have to see Jesus before he could believe. And now Jesus appears and Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God.”
The Ethiopian eunuch declared to Philip, “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” He had never seen Jesus but believed. The Philippian jailer asked, ‘What must I do to be saved?” He was told, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” He had never seen Jesus but he believed and was saved.
You and I have never seen Jesus but we believe and “rejoice with joy unspeakable…” (I Peter 1:8) People around the world who have never seen the Lord are being saved because they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Emmanuel: No Unknown God
“For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” (Acts 17:23)
Helen Keller was blind, deaf and mute. No one had been able to communicate with her until Ann Sullivan came to the Keller home. Most of us know at least part of the story. When she was an adult she trusted Christ as her Savior. In her testimony she said, “I knew God was out there but I never knew His name or how to find Him. He was unknown to me.”
In our text, Paul the Apostle was speaking to some very religious people in Athens. He was seeing their gods, which they had on every corner, and was observing their worship. For fear they might leave out a god they made an altar described in our text.
The psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) The Bible further states, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead…” (Romans 1:20)
If God can reveal Himself to a blind, deaf, mute, He surely can reveal Himself to the sighted, hearing and speaking. He revealed Himself to the world when He came as a little baby called, “Emmanuel,” which means, God with us.
Helen Keller was blind, deaf and mute. No one had been able to communicate with her until Ann Sullivan came to the Keller home. Most of us know at least part of the story. When she was an adult she trusted Christ as her Savior. In her testimony she said, “I knew God was out there but I never knew His name or how to find Him. He was unknown to me.”
In our text, Paul the Apostle was speaking to some very religious people in Athens. He was seeing their gods, which they had on every corner, and was observing their worship. For fear they might leave out a god they made an altar described in our text.
The psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1) The Bible further states, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead…” (Romans 1:20)
If God can reveal Himself to a blind, deaf, mute, He surely can reveal Himself to the sighted, hearing and speaking. He revealed Himself to the world when He came as a little baby called, “Emmanuel,” which means, God with us.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
And Jesus Grew
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
(Luke 2:52)
Although Jesus’ purpose in coming into the world was not to set an example, He did set an excellent example. He set an example for us in obedience to the Father. He set an example in self-denial and humility. He set a worthy example in service to others and in forgiving others who may have been unkind to us.
Jesus set the standard for what a man is to be. He was fully man. He also set the standard for what God is like. He was fully God. If salvation came by following Jesus’ example none of us would make it. The standard is much too high for us to reach.
Most of all, even though He is a good example, He was the perfect sacrifice for the overwhelming sins of mankind. I encourage all who have not called on Him for salvation to receive Him by faith.
(Luke 2:52)
Although Jesus’ purpose in coming into the world was not to set an example, He did set an excellent example. He set an example for us in obedience to the Father. He set an example in self-denial and humility. He set a worthy example in service to others and in forgiving others who may have been unkind to us.
Jesus set the standard for what a man is to be. He was fully man. He also set the standard for what God is like. He was fully God. If salvation came by following Jesus’ example none of us would make it. The standard is much too high for us to reach.
Most of all, even though He is a good example, He was the perfect sacrifice for the overwhelming sins of mankind. I encourage all who have not called on Him for salvation to receive Him by faith.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
No Longer a Baby
“…He is not here…” (Matthew 28:6)
These words are recorded in each of the three synoptic gospels. They were spoken by the angel to the women who came to the tomb. He is no longer in the tomb. He is risen. The tomb is empty.
We can apply these words to the empty manger where Mary laid Him. He is not here. We no longer worship the Christ-child as the shepherds did. He is no longer a baby.
When Jesus went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem for Passover, on the way home suddenly they realized, “He is not here.”
If we take a walk to Calvary and look up on the cross we discover the cross is empty, even though He paid the price for our sins there and His blood was shed there, He is not here.
If we make a journey to Jerusalem and go the tomb as the women did we discover as they did, “He is not here.” The tomb is empty.
Where is He? He is our High Priest seated at the right hand of God in heaven making intercession for us. He is in the hearts of believers everywhere. He is in the midst of a small group of believers when even two or three are gathered together.
These words are recorded in each of the three synoptic gospels. They were spoken by the angel to the women who came to the tomb. He is no longer in the tomb. He is risen. The tomb is empty.
We can apply these words to the empty manger where Mary laid Him. He is not here. We no longer worship the Christ-child as the shepherds did. He is no longer a baby.
When Jesus went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem for Passover, on the way home suddenly they realized, “He is not here.”
If we take a walk to Calvary and look up on the cross we discover the cross is empty, even though He paid the price for our sins there and His blood was shed there, He is not here.
If we make a journey to Jerusalem and go the tomb as the women did we discover as they did, “He is not here.” The tomb is empty.
Where is He? He is our High Priest seated at the right hand of God in heaven making intercession for us. He is in the hearts of believers everywhere. He is in the midst of a small group of believers when even two or three are gathered together.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Tell Me the Old, Old Story
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
The story of Jesus’ birth includes Mary, the virgin maiden whom God chose to be the vehicle to carry the Christ-child and give birth. It includes Joseph, the Godly man, who, though he did not father the Christ child, he did the work of a father in raising the child. The telling of the Christmas story involves angels, bearing news to Mary, to Joseph and the shepherds. It involves a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It includes an inn keeper who had no vacancy in his inn. The telling of the story tells of a manger where the Christ child lay.
But, these are not the story, although they help in the telling of the story. It takes all of these to tell the Christmas story but the summation of the story is found in these brief words: “…God was manifest in the flesh…” (I Timothy 3:16) “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14) Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
The story of Jesus’ birth includes Mary, the virgin maiden whom God chose to be the vehicle to carry the Christ-child and give birth. It includes Joseph, the Godly man, who, though he did not father the Christ child, he did the work of a father in raising the child. The telling of the Christmas story involves angels, bearing news to Mary, to Joseph and the shepherds. It involves a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It includes an inn keeper who had no vacancy in his inn. The telling of the story tells of a manger where the Christ child lay.
But, these are not the story, although they help in the telling of the story. It takes all of these to tell the Christmas story but the summation of the story is found in these brief words: “…God was manifest in the flesh…” (I Timothy 3:16) “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14) Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Monday, December 25, 2017
This Day
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:11)
The event really happened. Jesus, the Son of God, was born. The text says he was born “this day.” It may not have been in December. It may not have on the twenty-fifth of the month. But when the angel delivered his message to the shepherds it was on “this day, the same day of His birth.
“This day,” tells me there was a specific day about two-thousand years ago when Christ was born. There was a day when God became flesh and we can no more deny it than to say George Washington was not born and never existed because we do not know the exact day of his birth. Perhaps God did not reveal in His word the exact day because we might see the day as being more important than the event and start worshipping the day.
There was born “this day” in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. Every time we sing a Christmas carol we are giving testimony that on “this day” whatever the day, that Christ was born. Just as we do not know the exact day of His birth, even so we do not know when He shall return. Only God knows “this day.”
Merry Christmas to you and to all your family.
(Luke 2:11)
The event really happened. Jesus, the Son of God, was born. The text says he was born “this day.” It may not have been in December. It may not have on the twenty-fifth of the month. But when the angel delivered his message to the shepherds it was on “this day, the same day of His birth.
“This day,” tells me there was a specific day about two-thousand years ago when Christ was born. There was a day when God became flesh and we can no more deny it than to say George Washington was not born and never existed because we do not know the exact day of his birth. Perhaps God did not reveal in His word the exact day because we might see the day as being more important than the event and start worshipping the day.
There was born “this day” in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. Every time we sing a Christmas carol we are giving testimony that on “this day” whatever the day, that Christ was born. Just as we do not know the exact day of His birth, even so we do not know when He shall return. Only God knows “this day.”
Merry Christmas to you and to all your family.
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