Days of Praise

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August 11, 2024
The Four "I Wills" of Worship
“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2)

Praising the great “I AM” is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The triumphs of the Redeemer ought to be the triumphs of the redeemed. These two verses shift the worshiper’s attention to the Giver of grace, whose “marvellous works” reflect His greatness. These four “I wills” demonstrate David’s desire to praise God with a sincere heart and emphasize his resolve to praise God publicly. Heartfelt gratitude and praise should always be on the lips of God’s redeemed.

“I will praise” is a Christian’s natural response to who God is and what He’s done for him. He praises God’s great name when he meditates on His unchanging attributes (Psalm 18:49; 22:22; 35:18; 43:4; 71:14; 145:2; 146:2).

“I will tell” of all God’s marvelous works is captured in one Hebrew word (pele'), used especially in reference to God’s redemptive miracles (Psalm 22:22; 66:16; 106:7, 22; 118:17; 145:6; Hebrews 2:12). Secular writings describe such works figuratively as ones that “take your breath away.”

“I will be glad and rejoice” and “I will sing praises” to the Almighty are repeated many times in the Psalms (7:17; 9:2; 30:12; 31:7; 57:9; 59:17; 71:22, 23; 92:1; 101:1; 108:3; 138:1; 144:9). And “O thou most High [elyon]” depicts God as the exalted ruler of His creation, always vindicating His children and judging the wicked (Psalm 47:2).

The believer purely worships God when he praises, speaks, rejoices, and sings to the Most High. How great you are, our Lord, and greatly to be praised (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)! CCM

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August 29, 2024
Life's Uncertainties
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Many times along life’s way we face uncertainties, opposition, and even doubt. When we do, it is helpful to recognize that those who lived with Christ when He was here on Earth faced the same perplexities. His answers and assurances to them in John 14 are meant for us as well.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” He said (John 14:1)—an emphatic command that could be rendered “Don’t continue to be troubled.” The solution: “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” We believe God can supply all the answers to our troubles. But Christ is God! He is the solution. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (14:6) and is the only solution, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Him].”

He is the way. “In my Father’s house are many mansions....I go to prepare a place for you. And...I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (14:2-3). Whatever else may befall us, our destiny is sure. His reputation is at stake, for He has promised a place in the Father’s house.

He is the truth. Peter had just been informed of his coming denial (13:38), that he would openly assert a lie. Jesus said He is “the truth.” “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but of the Father that dwelleth in me” (14:10). Words and thoughts not in accordance with His are not “truth,” we can be sure of that.

He is the life. Speaking of His imminent death, Christ said, “Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards” (13:36), indicating their own eventual persecution and martyrdom. Yet their ultimate victory, as well as comfort (14:16-18), were assured.

How can those things be? “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,” Christ said, “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (14:13). JDM

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August 30, 2024
The Believer's Judgment
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

There is a terrible day of judgment coming for those who reject Christ, but for those who do believe the gospel and trust the Lord Jesus for salvation, “there is therefore now no condemnation [i.e., judgment]” (Romans 8:1). Yet, our text tells us that judgment actually begins with those who obey the gospel! This apparent contradiction vanishes when one realizes that it is merely for the purpose of preparing those who are already saved to serve Him in eternity.

When a believer sins, he should judge and confess that sin. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31), and God will forgive (1 John 1:9). If he does not, however, the next phase of judgment is the chastening of God. “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32). The classic passage on the believer’s chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11) concludes with the assurance that its purpose is to yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

But when such chastening fails to work, the next judgment may even be physical death. “There is sin unto death” (1 John 5:16). “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Finally, all Christians must “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10), where “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). There, some “shall suffer loss.” Nevertheless, each person at this judgment “shall be saved” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). But, as our text continues, “if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18). HMM

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September 15, 2024
Praise the Savior, Ye Who Know Him
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15)

We possess a special place in God’s heart. Many uplifting hymns have been written over the centuries that can lead us into a deeper love for and greater understanding of our Savior. One such hymn, “Praise the Savior, Ye Who Know Him,” introduces many important concepts and reasons to praise.

Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him
All we are and have.

Those who know the Savior are bidden to join together in praising Him. As Christians, we don’t just know Him as Savior; He calls us His friends. He identifies His friends by their obedience to His loving commands: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). He proves His friendship through His own sacrifice: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (v. 13). How could we ever repay Him? We cannot.

We can, however, praise Him for all that He is to us and has done for us. We have the privilege of declaring “with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell[ing] of all thy wondrous works” (Psalm 26:7), and “speak[ing] of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 145:5). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). JDM

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September 21, 2024
Melted Mountains
“For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” (Deuteronomy 32:22)

Here in the Song of Moses we find a mention of the foundations of Earth’s mountains being set on fire. Micah picks up and expands on this theme, saying, “Hearken, O earth…the mountains shall be molten under him.…For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel” (Micah 1:2, 4-5). What does the Lord mean by describing such a terrifying scene?

If Earth’s mountains literally melt, then surely nothing would remain of this place. Such descriptions match others of judgment day. For example, Jesus said, “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world” (Matthew 13:40). But would the Lord burn up the whole world’s mountains merely for Israel’s sins?

Isaiah suggests an answer. He wrote, “Let the earth hear, and all that is therein.…For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations.…Their slain also shall be cast out; and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood” (Isaiah 34:1-3). Here the Lord melts mountains because of the wicked nations. God’s patience with both rebellious Jews and rebellious Gentiles will reach its limit.

“The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10), but the good news is that anyone can escape such judgment. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Jesus endured the heat of God’s wrath toward sinners so that anyone who trusts in Him can receive everlasting life. BDT

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September 22, 2024
In Christ, Believers Triumph
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

The word “triumph” is a military term for the parade-like celebration following a victory or successful campaign. It was the highest honor any Roman general and his troops could receive.

But there were prerequisites for receiving a triumph. The general had to be physically on the battlefield, and the military campaign must have furthered Rome’s worldwide reach. After meeting these requirements, the celebration could begin!

Imagine what this might have looked like. With mobs cheering and streets garlanded with flowers, the procession proudly marches to the capitol. Rome’s political leadership leads the way, and musicians and singers follow, heralding the coming entourage. Next, spoils are presented. The white bull comes for a sacrifice. The pagan priests then pass by, swinging censors with the sweet-smelling incense of victory. Walking with heads bowed, war captives are led before the screaming crowds. The exalted commanding general finally passes, clad in a purple tunic embroidered with gold and riding in a chariot drawn by four stately steeds. Even his relatives proudly parade after him. Finally, his soldiers march past, colored with the ribbons of victory and shouting in unison, “Triumph! Triumph! Triumph!”

Paul uses “triumph” again in Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is the conquering Commander. Believers will join His triumphal parade. No matter how hard life may be right now, believer, envision yourself proudly marching in the ranks of those who serve our sovereign Lord and reigning King. CCM

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October 20, 2024 Renewing of the Holy Spirit “...the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:5) The Holy Spirit’s eternal impacts on our lives (regeneration and renewal) are brought together in this text in a rather unique way. To begin with, the Greek words are unusual—“regeneration” being used only twice in the New Testament and “renewal” only five times in various forms. They come together only in this passage. “Regeneration” (paliggenesia) means to “birth again.” The connection to our salvation is well established and does not need much explanation here. “Renewal” (anakainosis) in its variations is a bit more difficult to describe—especially since there is the possible linguistic connection to the “washing” (bath) of regeneration. That is, the section could be translated “the Holy Spirit’s bath of regeneration and renewing”—thus equating the two terms. Most translations, however, treat the terms as separate actions or conditions for which the Holy Spirit is responsible. This fits best with the rest of the biblical data. Perhaps the most well-known passage focusing on renewal is Romans 12:1-2. In this precious reference, we are commanded to present (yield) our bodies as holy and acceptable living sacrifices. We are to refuse to be conformed to the world but to be transformed (metamorphoo = “permanent change”) by the renewing of our mind. The instrument by which the transformation comes about is the new mind (intellect)—a grace-gift imputed at salvation by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:16; Hebrews 10:16). This renewal takes place in the “inward man” (2 Corinthians 4:16), which “is renewed in knowledge” (Colossians 3:10) according to the image of the Creator. Thus, the renewal comes about intellectually, through the ministrations of the Holy Spirit, as we seek, study, store, and obey the magnificent Word of God. HMM III

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October 23, 2024
Endurance Empowers Sanctification
“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.” (2 Corinthians 6:4)

The phrase “in much patience [endurance]” could be used to summarize all of the apostle Paul’s life. The Greek word for endurance (hupomone) is used in the New Testament over 30 times. Endurance is triumphant patience, causing the troubled saint to rise above difficult circumstances. John Chrysostom, an early church father, said endurance “is a fortress that is never taken, a harbor that knows no storm.” It describes a believer boldly facing the difficult circumstances of life.

So, what were a few of Paul’s afflictions (Greek thlipsis)? Paul uses the same Greek word to describe his “trouble which came to us in Asia” (2 Corinthians 1:8) as well as his distress in writing his sorrowful letter to the Corinthians (2:4). He also used this word to summarize the troubles that caused him deep anguish (4:16–17). Even with these great struggles, Paul obediently overcame and endured.

Paul remained steadfast under the most arduous trials, and so can any believer in Christ. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body” (4:8–10).

The sufferings of this present world are not to be compared with the glory that is ours in eternity. As one saint described, “Ministry will be a wildly oscillating experience.” Through all of life’s oscillation, the Holy Spirit grants the believer the strength to endure with contentment and integrity. May we be empowered to follow Paul’s example (11:1)! CCM

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October 24, 2024
Significance Through Remembering
“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” (Proverbs 10:7)

What more miserable thought can we conjure than that all our words and deeds will fade and be forever forgotten? This should motivate us to seek how we can find and hold significance that persists beyond our brief stay on Earth. This proverb helps answer our deep longing for lasting meaning.

The name of the wicked will not be remembered, but memories of the just will endure. For example, the Lord chose not to name the mightiest man alive during the Exodus—a recalcitrant Egyptian pharaoh. Yet, in that same narrative, the Lord named the just and brave midwives. “And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah” (Exodus 1:15). Those women’s names are blessed, being recorded and preserved in Scripture. Despite building monuments to himself, that pharaoh is now dust, and his name decayed with him.

How can we avoid this fate and be counted among the just? Malachi 3:16 says, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

We must fear the Lord. We often labor for significance by trying to make ourselves great in this world. If that’s all we have, then our names will die with us. However, those who fear the Lord find forgiveness, justification, and sanctification. God will likewise bless the memory of our words and deeds in a “book of remembrance.” What joy we’ll find in those blessed pages! BDT

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October 26, 2024
We Are in His Image
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Colossians 3:10)

Man’s body is made of the same “earth” material (Genesis 2:7) as the animals (v. 19) and as the earth itself (Genesis 1:10). Furthermore, he shares the created “soul” (Hebrew nephesh) and “spirit” (Hebrew ruach, same as “breath”) with the animals (compare 1:21; 7:15, where nephesh and ruach respectively are used of the animals). However, he shares the created “image of God” (1:27) only with God Himself.

Ever since Adam and Eve first sinned, all people have been born in innate rebellion against Him. The image of God in man has been grievously marred, and we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

However, as our text reminds us, the image of God in man can be “renewed” through the great miracle of the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). And this includes more than just our soul/spirit nature, for we have His gracious promise that our own resurrection bodies will be “fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21) when He comes again.

Evidently, God had all this in mind from the very beginning, when “in the likeness of God made he him” (Genesis 5:1). That is, He foreknew that He would one day become man, in the person of Jesus Christ, and so perhaps He created man in the image and likeness of that body/soul/spirit complex that He Himself would eventually assume.

In some mysterious way, Christ Himself is, in His eternal and glorified human body, the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), and God amazingly has even predestinated us “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29), and “we shall be like him” when we finally “see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). HMM

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November 1, 2024 Fear of the Lord “Then had the churches rest...and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31) There is something of a paradox in this requirement to “fear the Lord.” On the one hand, we “have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear” but have received “the Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15). On the other hand, we are told to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Our text insists that we are to be “walking in the fear of the Lord.” Obviously, the context illustrates a lifestyle of godly behavior that is produced by our attitude toward God’s sovereign majesty and unique holiness as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. We should “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:9). It is clear that the “beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7), the “beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), and the “instruction of wisdom” (Proverbs 15:33) are founded in the fear of the Lord. It is also clear that the fear of the Lord is that which mimics God’s hatred of “evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [perverse] mouth” (Proverbs 8:13). But the one who fears the Lord also knows “strong confidence” (Proverbs 14:26) and has an unwavering satisfaction in his or her life (Proverbs 19:23). Indeed, such godly fear promises to prolong our days (Proverbs 10:27) and to be a “fountain of life” that keeps us from the “snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27). Knowledge of God should produce a “godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28) as we serve in the kingdom—fear of His power and holiness and omniscience—yet also provide a steadfast rest in the knowledge that we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), gifted not with timidity but with a spirit of “power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). HMM III

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November 3, 2024
This Work Was of God
“So the wall was finished....And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:15-16)

There have been so many occasions throughout history when God worked mightily either to establish or to preserve America; there can be no doubt that God has uniquely blessed this country. There have always been those who would destroy, establish themselves as dictators, or who have scoffed at or hindered the American experiment in freedom, but in His grace and in His time and way, He has responded with victory.

Similarly, there were many times in the history of God’s chosen nation of Israel when mighty victories were accomplished. In the events surrounding our text, a ragged band of exiles had returned from captivity in Babylon and were attempting to rebuild the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. The detractors were many, saying it couldn’t be done—but it had to be done!

Satanically inspired opposition came through ridicule (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1-3); threats of invasion (vv. 7-9); discouragement (v. 10); fear of attack (vv. 11-23); internal friction (5:1-5); diplomatic treachery (6:1-8); and lying prophets (6:10-14). But in the face of each threat, Nehemiah was equal to the task. “We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night” (4:9), and eventually, as we read in our text, “the wall was finished.”

Nehemiah’s victory was preceded by his confession of his own sins and that of the people (1:6-11) and the purification and dedication of the people. It was followed by great rejoicing and blessing. Would that America’s present leaders and people follow this godly example. JDM

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November 7, 2024
The Well-Trodden Path of Saints
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.” (Proverbs 16:17)

This short verse is nestled in the exact center of the book of Proverbs, underscoring its importance. The pattern for righteous living is described as a well-traveled road (“highway”). The first phrase uses the Hebrew word sur, which is a qal infinitive and assumes a righteous person’s propensity to turn away from evil.

The second phrase employs two different words for “guard.” The word notser (keepeth) means “one who guards his way.” The next is shomer (preserveth), meaning “one who guards his life.” This parallelism underscores the axiom “guarding one’s path results in preserving one’s life.”¹

But pride is the roadblock to keeping to this “highway” (16:18-19). Humility, then, becomes a precious and necessary virtue for the growing saint. “Receive with meekness [humility] the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:21–22).

Additionally, Christians are continually led by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to internalize and apply the written Word of God, which guards their souls from inner sinful appetites that plague the growing believer (Romans 8–9; Ephesians 5:18). The upright believer seeks to avoid all forms of evil and diligently keeps to this righteous living (Proverbs 3:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13), walking circumspectly down life’s highway as a means of glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 119:105). CCM

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November 8, 2024 Grace on the Way “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13) There’s a lot packed into this verse. One can’t live it out without understanding something of the grace Peter mentions. When Jesus Christ is revealed, He apparently plans to add some great grace to those who eagerly expect His second coming. What will this grace be? We are to remember His return each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The cup reminds us of His blood, and His blood reminds us that He died in our place so we may have eternal life. Thus, one great grace He will bring with Him is the final abolition of death. There will be no more death for those whose names “are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). But He will bring an even greater grace than everlasting life. Paul taught the churches that our reunion with Christ is the great goal. He wrote, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming” (1 Thessalonians 2:19)? What does it mean that “so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)? We will reach our true fulfillment in Him. “Then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). No wonder we “hope to the end” for this great grace. Oh, to be alive and in fellowship with our Creator and Savior forever! BDT

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November 25, 2024
Things We Can't Do Without
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12)

There are many things in this world that we can easily get along without, but some are absolutely essential. First of all, we need Christ. Otherwise we are like the Gentiles described in our text—“without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the world.”

Second, if we were ever to be saved, Christ must shed His blood for our sins, for “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). In order for His death to be effective for our salvation, He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Before Christ’s work actually becomes effective in our personal salvation, it must be believed and received by faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). This faith must be true faith, which transforms the life, for “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). Works do not bring salvation, but saving faith brings “things that accompany salvation” (Hebrews 6:9).

Among those things that accompany salvation is holiness, “without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Another is the privilege of chastisement! Our heavenly Father must deal with His errant children in loving discipline. Otherwise, “if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye...not sons” (Hebrews 12:8).

There are thus seven things we cannot do without. We cannot do without Christ, without the shedding of His blood, without His sinlessness, without faith in Him, without works for Him, without holiness unto Him, and without chastisement by Him. He said, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). But with Him, we have everything. HMM

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November 26, 2024
A Little Folly
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

This verse may well be the source of our modern phrase “a fly in the ointment,” which refers to an unforeseen drawback to something—or someone—otherwise highly esteemed. Illustrations of this abound in Scripture. For example, recall the apostle Peter. He became the outspoken leader of the early church. However, his fellow apostle Paul found a fly of hypocrisy stinking up some of Peter’s leadership, and Paul confronted him. “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). This episode and today’s verse show that any of us can commit a little folly…or hopefully avoid it.

Solomon himself, the author of today’s verse and a wise king, sabotaged his great reputation. “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4). The Hebrew word salem, translated “perfect,” means complete or whole. Sadly, in Solomon’s last days he was unholy and un-whole.

But many through the millennia have finished strong, including Peter. Other examples are Enoch, Abraham, Ezra, and Anna. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Protect the ointment of your character from any dive-bombing flies

How? Learn to recognize folly from afar. This way, when a selfish desire entertains a foolish choice, there is already a habit of saying “no” to the flesh and “yes” to the Father. BDT

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December 3, 2024
Can It Be?
“Christ also suffered for us....Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)

Those who love good church music have come to love Charles Wesley’s commitment to and knowledge of his Savior and the Scriptures, for he wove into his music and poetry deep insights that challenge and thrill us even today. One of his hymns, “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?,” has unfortunately been abridged in modern hymnals. The first verse is expressed:

And can it be that I should gain,
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him, to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That thou, my God, should’st die for me?

Even the Old Testament saints wondered why God loves man so. “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?” (Job 7:17). The New Testament contains many similar expressions of wonder. “Behold, what manner of love [literally ‘what a different kind of love’] the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us....And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:8-11).

The point is we were desperate sinners deserving His wrath. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love [i.e., ‘amazing love’] wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5). JDM

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December 8, 2024
Change
“God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” (Psalm 55:19)

How can those who refuse God avoid this promised affliction? Change, of course! Psalm 55:12-14 gives the reason for this dire warning. The psalmist wrote, “We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company” (v. 14). Sounds like a good friend who went to church, “but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords” (v. 21). This evil person masqueraded as one who follows God in order to hurt God’s people.

This warning to change—that is, to stop warring against God and instead trust Him—comes through clearly in the New Testament also. Because these deceitful people witness some of what He does when they mingle with God’s people, they thus “have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:5-6). What must befall those who put the Lord to shame through disbelief? “But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction” (Psalm 55:23), for they refused to change.

Therefore, “see that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escape not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven” (Hebrews 12:25).

Why does God speak in the first place? He wants relationship. The psalmist changed! He said, “As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me” (Psalm 55:16). Relationship with the Lord happens when we change toward Him. BDT

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December 11, 2024
Ministry of the Holy Spirit
“God...hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8)

Every believer has some awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, if there is no such awareness, then there is absolutely no relationship with God (Romans 8:9). Just what, then, is the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives?

All who have come to God by faith have felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit prior to salvation. From the world’s perspective, that constitutes His ministry. The Holy Spirit is commissioned by Jesus Christ to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Acting as God the Father’s operative agent, the Holy Spirit draws us into a personal consciousness of our sin, Christ’s righteousness, and the absolute certainty of judgment to come.

This reproof has but two goals: to bring about regeneration (Titus 3:5) and give us witness that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). What is born from above (John 3:3) is nothing less than a “new creature” by the triune Godhead (2 Corinthians 5:17), created like God in “righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). The Holy Spirit energizes our “dead” spirit and causes us to “live” (1 Peter 4:6).

And that is just the beginning! Once regenerated, the Holy Spirit sees to it, as the “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13), that we are led (Romans 8:14) into truth—because the Holy Spirit will not invent information but will take truth directly from the mind and heart of God.

With that leading, we are sanctified (both positionally and progressively), having been chosen to salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13). With the Holy Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8), we can exhibit His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and come under His filling (Ephesians 5:18). May the glorious ministry of the Holy Spirit be yours both as promised and in practice. HMM III

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December 13, 2024
Seeing and Believing
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Jesus was willing to give doubting Thomas the visible evidence he wanted before he would believe. However, He did give His disciple a mild rebuke.

There is an important principle here. Thomas was willing to believe but only when the visible evidence was too strong to question. Neither the promise of Christ that He would rise from the dead nor the testimony of His chosen apostles that the promise had been fulfilled was sufficient to convince him, and the Lord was disappointed.

When God has spoken plainly in His Word, that ought to be sufficient for those who really believe Him. Yet again and again Christians allow their faith to be shaken by some new cosmic theory, or age estimate, or something else. No matter how strong the biblical case for the worldwide Flood may be, for example, many Christians will not believe it until all the geological questions can be resolved. Even though the Bible unequivocally teaches that all things were created in six literal days (see Exodus 20:11), many Christians won’t accept this until they can see overwhelming scientific evidence of a young earth. In fact, some will never believe in either recent creation or a worldwide Flood until all the conventional scientists accept them first.

God has allowed many visible evidences of the truth of His Word to be revealed. There is a strong scientific case for biblical creation, and we are justified in believing God’s Word, even where we don’t yet see any visible evidence. As Peter said concerning those who believe implicitly in Christ and His Word: “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). HMM

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December 14, 2024
Much More
“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:9)

The fifth chapter of Romans is sometimes called the “much more” chapter because of five wonderful “much more” verses. The first is our text for the day, consisting itself of a commentary on the tremendous truth in the preceding verse. That is, because of the tremendous love expressed by God “in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8), we shall also be delivered completely from the just wrath of a holy God.

Then, there is the truth of verse 10: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Formerly His adversaries, we are not only delivered from God’s wrath on sin, but also delivered from sin’s power, because Christ’s life becomes our life once we are restored to complete fellowship with Him.

Thirdly, we have more abundant grace. “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (v. 15). His grace is far greater than all our sin.

Next, there is verse 17. “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Note the progression in these “much mores”: saved from wrath; saved unto righteousness; a life abounding in grace; and, now, a life of victory.

Finally, and in summary: “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (vv. 20-21). HMM

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December 15, 2024
Do-Gooders
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” (3 John 11)

The term “do-gooder” has come to be sort of a sarcastic putdown of people who are actively doing good deeds and trying to persuade others to also do good. Standards today have become so confused that actions once considered wrong are now considered quite normal, as easily seen from the plots of Hollywood movies, radio talk shows, and newspaper sports pages. Those who try to call people back to righteousness are ridiculed as officious do-gooders.

But it should be remembered that God Himself was doing good first. “He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Not only did the Lord do good in creating and upholding our beautiful world, but He continued to do good when He became man. As Jesus of Nazareth, He “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

Therefore, if we who know Him as our Savior would be like Him in our lives, we also must do good. Human standards of goodness may change, but God’s standards do not. As our text confirms, the very mark of the born-again nature is doing good, for “he that doeth good is of God,” while he who follows evil “hath not seen God.” Many other Scriptures remind us of the same truth: “To do good and to communicate [that is, ‘share with others’] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). Christ even commanded us to do good to our enemies. “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27).

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). HMM

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December 20, 2024
Take and Eat
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)

Paul here explains that when the Lord Jesus offered Himself up as a sacrifice on the cross, He did what was required to rescue any sinner from the curse of the law. Two connections add poignancy to this divine rescue operation.

The first connection involves the first created couple. They ignored the words of their Creator and listened instead to this false promise: “Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened” (Genesis 3:4,5). They ate. The death Curse came.

They would not have eaten that fruit if they did not believe that doing so would add something desirable to their lives. We’ve known since then that “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

But the Father broke our Curse by sacrificing His Son, who was “made a curse for us” (our text). What, then, remains to be done? Though Adam and Eve ate a physical fruit, we must take in a spiritual food—the fruit of Him who hung on a tree for us.

The Lord Jesus instituted a regular supper to remind His followers of His sacrifice for them. “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave it to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body” (Mark 14:22). When we take and eat that symbol of the Lord’s body, we remember that He was “wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5) in general and for each one of us in particular. BDT

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December 21, 2024
Idolatry Lives Today
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21)

These final words of the apostle John’s letter seem like an abrupt ending, but the Greek construction is significant, emphasizing the duty of personal effort in combatting idolatry. In the Greco-Roman world, moral compromise was inseparably linked with the worldly ideologies of idol worship. Idolatry’s trap led many unbelievers and believers alike into sinful practices, resulting in serious consequences.

Idolatry’s influence permeated the early church just like it did the nation Israel (2 Chronicles 24:18), so Paul commanded the church to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Idolatry can be found in every heart and is an over-dependence on someone or something. It can be a physical object like creation (Romans 1:25), a property, a person, an activity, a role, a hope, a pleasure, or a temporary comfort—anything substituted for a love for the Creator. The human heart is inclined toward idolatry, so beware its multifaceted faces:

• Worshiping anything/anyone instead of God (Romans 1:21, 23; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Revering anything/anyone in addition to God (1 Kings 11:4-8).
• Treasuring anything/anyone more than God (Colossians 3:5; Ezekiel 14:4, 7).
• Idolizing anything/anyone as a means of worshiping God (Exodus 32:4-5).
• Exalting our own conception of God and not the true God of Scripture (Psalms 50:21).

Believers need to recognize the potential ways we are tempted to disobey God through our preoccupation with self-made idols. Believers, keep yourselves from idols. CCM

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December 24, 2024
First Advent Names
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Matthew records two names for Mary’s first child: Emmanuel and Jesus. In today’s verse, an angel told Joseph to go ahead and marry Mary since her pregnancy was divine. The name Jesus transliterates the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Yeshua. The Hebrew yasa, “to save,” lies at its root. Jesus is not just a savior but the Savior! “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour” (Isaiah 45:15). “We trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).

What qualifies the Lord Jesus to be our Savior? First, He must be one of us—born of a human mother—our kin. We’ve known of this since the Curse: “And I will put enmity between thee [the serpent] and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). We needed the seed of the woman, and God supplied Him!

But each human’s own sin requires propitiation. This disqualifies us from saving ourselves, let alone others. Second, therefore, we need this man to also be sinless God, hence the second name from Matthew, quoting Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). The one and only holy God “was made in the likeness of men….Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:7,9). What name? Jesus, God with us, our Savior. BDT