MORNING MOMENTS
READ; Psalm 117
O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.
REFLECT:
There are only 17 words in the Hebrew text. It is believed to be the shortest chapter in the Bible in the center of the Bible. The point of this text is PRAISE, which means to exalt, exult, lift up, speak well of. We are also aware that those to whom this was originally addressed lived in the very center of the earth. God's plan from creation has always been for everyone on earth to be saved, but we know (as He knew) that all would not be. "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to salvation."
All believers may not agree on certain things in the Bible, but there is one thing for sure: Jesus is going to return to this earth, rule in righteousness with a rod of iron and still seek for sinners to be saved during His one thousand year rule. "Those who now suffer with Him shall also reign with Him." THERE WILL BE PEACE ON EARTH VERY SOON, but AFTER the remnant of Israel recognizes Him as her Messiah, as she looks upon Him and weeps..."
RESPOND:
The Bible speaks more of His second coming as the LORD and MESSIAH than it does about His first coming and only fools will deny either or both. But we have today to make things right with Him and begin learning how and why and when we are to PRAISE HIM. Why not start today by receiving Him (giving your life over to Him), or if you have, settling any issues between you and Him and you and others.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
MORNING MOMENTS
READ:
Luke 19:29-35 - "And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying, 'Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat; loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, 'Why do ye loose him?' thus shall ye say unto him, 'Because the Lord hath need of him." And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as were loosing the colt, the Lotd hath need of him."
REFLECT:
A lamb for an ass! A life for a life! That is God's way in Exodus and Luke and all through the Bible. Jesus said, "If you keep your life, you will lose it but if you lose you life for my sake and the gospels, you shall find it." Jesus commands that we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him.
The cross is not merely a piece of jewelry one wears around the neck, bracelet for the arm, or a pin for the lapel; it is an emblem of suffering and shame! As the cross was for Him, so the cross is for us. It that truth of "...reckoning oneself to be dead unto sin but alive unto God." We who are true believers are dead to sin but alive unto God for we were "buried with Him (positionally) that we might be alive for Him spiritually. Then begins a life of brokenness and blessedness. Paul put it this way: "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; not I but Christ lives in me."
RESPOND:
What remains unbroken in your life? Jesus said, "...Whosoever falls on this stone shall be broken; but upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder" Mt 21:44. Paul says, "Reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin by alive unto God."
READ:
Luke 19:29-35 - "And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying, 'Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat; loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, 'Why do ye loose him?' thus shall ye say unto him, 'Because the Lord hath need of him." And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as were loosing the colt, the Lotd hath need of him."
REFLECT:
A lamb for an ass! A life for a life! That is God's way in Exodus and Luke and all through the Bible. Jesus said, "If you keep your life, you will lose it but if you lose you life for my sake and the gospels, you shall find it." Jesus commands that we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him.
The cross is not merely a piece of jewelry one wears around the neck, bracelet for the arm, or a pin for the lapel; it is an emblem of suffering and shame! As the cross was for Him, so the cross is for us. It that truth of "...reckoning oneself to be dead unto sin but alive unto God." We who are true believers are dead to sin but alive unto God for we were "buried with Him (positionally) that we might be alive for Him spiritually. Then begins a life of brokenness and blessedness. Paul put it this way: "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; not I but Christ lives in me."
RESPOND:
What remains unbroken in your life? Jesus said, "...Whosoever falls on this stone shall be broken; but upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder" Mt 21:44. Paul says, "Reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin by alive unto God."
Monday, January 5, 2015
MORNING MOMENTS
TEXT: Exodus 34:20
But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou refeem him not, then shalt thou brek his neck..."
THOUGHT:
Initially in the process of REDEMPTION; now we shall consider RELEASE. Once redeemed we are free from the burden of sin that one bears put upon him by sin, selfishness, and Satan. In our text we discover that even a Jack Ass was to be redeemed, but it had to be redeemed by a lamb.
Think about the Jack Ass for a moment in terms of mankind. He is stubborn and hard to break. But Jesus took the foal of an ass to ride triumphantly into Jerusalem. He was the lamb and He was riding a jackass that had never been broken and yet the animal was completely submissive to the Master.
TRANSFORMATION:
It doesn't matter how shameful, or stubborn one might seem, the Savior can release from the sin that binds him. He changes lives. "For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away and all things become new" 2 Corinthians 5:17. No matter what one's condition may be, he may be free and released to new life in Christ.
(to be continued)
TEXT: Exodus 34:20
But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou refeem him not, then shalt thou brek his neck..."
THOUGHT:
Initially in the process of REDEMPTION; now we shall consider RELEASE. Once redeemed we are free from the burden of sin that one bears put upon him by sin, selfishness, and Satan. In our text we discover that even a Jack Ass was to be redeemed, but it had to be redeemed by a lamb.
Think about the Jack Ass for a moment in terms of mankind. He is stubborn and hard to break. But Jesus took the foal of an ass to ride triumphantly into Jerusalem. He was the lamb and He was riding a jackass that had never been broken and yet the animal was completely submissive to the Master.
TRANSFORMATION:
It doesn't matter how shameful, or stubborn one might seem, the Savior can release from the sin that binds him. He changes lives. "For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away and all things become new" 2 Corinthians 5:17. No matter what one's condition may be, he may be free and released to new life in Christ.
(to be continued)
Sunday, January 4, 2015
MORNING MOMENTS
TEXT: Exodus 34:22-26
THOUGHTS:B
The Case for Redemption - LAW
The sin of Adam caused the descendants of Adam to be born in sin. "As in Adam all die." Of course Adam and Eve did not physically die immediately after they sinned, but they did die spiritually. In other words they became dead to fellowship with God. So God who knew all this would happen had, before the foundation of the world that Jesus would become the Lamb slain in order to "buy us back".
The Cost of Redemption - LIFE
The sacrifice that alone would be sufficient for God had to be a perfect sacrifice. Prior to the coming of Jesus as a babe in the womb of a virgin, sacrifices only covered man's sin. But "In the fullness of time God sent His son, born of a woman, made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Hence life was required for life. But "the blood of bulls and goats and the sprinkling of an heifer could not take away sin; it could only cover it.
The Call to Redemption - LOVE
We are all "called", not just preachers and missionaries, but each and every one of us is called to JESUS. We are gifted differently and sent differently BUT our CALLING is to JESUS, in whom we are REDEEMED. Our redemption required a living sacrifice that had to be without sin in order to be our substitute. There has never been but one such PERSON, "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in (trusts in, relies upon, clings to) HIM, HAS", not will have but presently has the very life of God in Him, which is "everlasting life."
(to be continued)
TEXT: Exodus 34:22-26
THOUGHTS:B
The Case for Redemption - LAW
The sin of Adam caused the descendants of Adam to be born in sin. "As in Adam all die." Of course Adam and Eve did not physically die immediately after they sinned, but they did die spiritually. In other words they became dead to fellowship with God. So God who knew all this would happen had, before the foundation of the world that Jesus would become the Lamb slain in order to "buy us back".
The Cost of Redemption - LIFE
The sacrifice that alone would be sufficient for God had to be a perfect sacrifice. Prior to the coming of Jesus as a babe in the womb of a virgin, sacrifices only covered man's sin. But "In the fullness of time God sent His son, born of a woman, made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Hence life was required for life. But "the blood of bulls and goats and the sprinkling of an heifer could not take away sin; it could only cover it.
The Call to Redemption - LOVE
We are all "called", not just preachers and missionaries, but each and every one of us is called to JESUS. We are gifted differently and sent differently BUT our CALLING is to JESUS, in whom we are REDEEMED. Our redemption required a living sacrifice that had to be without sin in order to be our substitute. There has never been but one such PERSON, "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in (trusts in, relies upon, clings to) HIM, HAS", not will have but presently has the very life of God in Him, which is "everlasting life."
(to be continued)
Saturday, January 3, 2015
MORNING MOMENTS
Text:
Exodus 34:20 - But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem [him] not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
THOUGHT:
The firstborn son of a man had to be redeemed; so the the firstborn foal of an ass. In both cases a lamb had to be slain. In the case of the colt, if the owner was not prepared to redeem the creature he had to brea its neck. Remember that the first born represented that which was of greatest value to the one sacrificing.
TRANSITION:
The truth conveyed in the story of this colt becomes an object lesson the the ages. It symbolizes man in all his need of the Only ne who can redeem him and bring his wayward spirit to harness. Jesus was God's firstborn Son who came to buy us back (redeem) from our slavery to sin and our sonship to the devil. Remember He said to the Pharisees who were meticulous in religion and full of self righteousness.
(to be continued)
Text:
Exodus 34:20 - But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem [him] not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.
THOUGHT:
The firstborn son of a man had to be redeemed; so the the firstborn foal of an ass. In both cases a lamb had to be slain. In the case of the colt, if the owner was not prepared to redeem the creature he had to brea its neck. Remember that the first born represented that which was of greatest value to the one sacrificing.
TRANSITION:
The truth conveyed in the story of this colt becomes an object lesson the the ages. It symbolizes man in all his need of the Only ne who can redeem him and bring his wayward spirit to harness. Jesus was God's firstborn Son who came to buy us back (redeem) from our slavery to sin and our sonship to the devil. Remember He said to the Pharisees who were meticulous in religion and full of self righteousness.
(to be continued)
Friday, January 2, 2015
MORNING MOMENTS by Dr. Austin L. Phillips
TEXT: Luke 19:29-36; Exodus 24:20
THOUGHT:
A life for a life! That is what God requires. Life is not cheap and the value of it is seen in the Savior's willingness to give His for your and mine.
Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem on the colt of an ass> Why such an animal as this when He could have ridden a white steed, or come in a chariot as a noble prince? Why not a camel? There are several reasons of course, and it would do us well to consider a few of them.
One reason was that His Kingdom is not of this world and He paid no heed to this world's ideas of pomp and circumstance. We think of the stately horse drawn carriage in the death of JFK or the pomp of a royal wedding. BUT when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords entered Jerusalem, the Holy City, He rode a colt of a jack ass that had never been broken.
TRANSFORMATION: When you and I see the truths behind this Scripture, we discover the humility of the Savior, which should be an example for our lives. God tells us to "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God..."
As we begin this New Year let us as true believer put death to our stinking pride and humble ourselves, submitting to one another in love and esteeming the other BETTER than ourselves.
(to be continued)
TEXT: Luke 19:29-36; Exodus 24:20
THOUGHT:
A life for a life! That is what God requires. Life is not cheap and the value of it is seen in the Savior's willingness to give His for your and mine.
Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem on the colt of an ass> Why such an animal as this when He could have ridden a white steed, or come in a chariot as a noble prince? Why not a camel? There are several reasons of course, and it would do us well to consider a few of them.
One reason was that His Kingdom is not of this world and He paid no heed to this world's ideas of pomp and circumstance. We think of the stately horse drawn carriage in the death of JFK or the pomp of a royal wedding. BUT when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords entered Jerusalem, the Holy City, He rode a colt of a jack ass that had never been broken.
TRANSFORMATION: When you and I see the truths behind this Scripture, we discover the humility of the Savior, which should be an example for our lives. God tells us to "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God..."
As we begin this New Year let us as true believer put death to our stinking pride and humble ourselves, submitting to one another in love and esteeming the other BETTER than ourselves.
(to be continued)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Morning Moments
The Struggle between Truth and Love!
When Paul was writing his first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote about spiritual gifts in chapter 12. Without acknowledging chapter divisions and recognizing that the whole book is simply one letter, he continues to tell them that three important things remain which are essential to the Christian Life, faith (by which we live), hope (the confidence that faith brings), and love (which is the evidence of our faith and hope.
When John (the Beloved) wrote to Gaius, he said that it brought him great joy for believers to walk in TRUTH. So while the choleric apostle write of love, the melancholy apostles writes of truth. Today it seems that we prefer love to truth, and yet the balance come when we understand the Truth about Love.
Both truth and love are eternal but we must love according to truth, rather than at the expense of it. Let me illustrate the point:
It is the TRUTH that GOD IS LOVE, but it is TRUTH that GOD CHASTENS WHOM HE LOVES and that if we are without chastisement, we are NOT children of God, as the writer of Hebrews teaches in chapter 12. So, if I love my child I will chasten my child. That chastening e voles both correction and direction. The Psalmist wrote, "Thy rod (for correcting) and thy staff (for directing), they comfort me." THAT is TRUTH that indicates LOVE. To put it plainly, there is little need to claim love for a child you will not discipline (correct and direct).
THAT being the case, we must understand that love (God's love in us - 1 Cor 13:4-8) - DEMANDS that we LOVE according to revealed TRUTH and not without it. Love without truth leads to an un disciplined life, but truth without love leads to a hard heart. We MUST.LOVE, so we MUST discipline! We MUST discipline, so we MUST LOVE.
All things considered, we can conclude that the most disciplined of us are the most loving, and the most loving of us are disciplined. That is the balance! To love without disciple leads to slothfulness, but to discipline without love leads to harshness.
When Paul was writing his first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote about spiritual gifts in chapter 12. Without acknowledging chapter divisions and recognizing that the whole book is simply one letter, he continues to tell them that three important things remain which are essential to the Christian Life, faith (by which we live), hope (the confidence that faith brings), and love (which is the evidence of our faith and hope.
When John (the Beloved) wrote to Gaius, he said that it brought him great joy for believers to walk in TRUTH. So while the choleric apostle write of love, the melancholy apostles writes of truth. Today it seems that we prefer love to truth, and yet the balance come when we understand the Truth about Love.
Both truth and love are eternal but we must love according to truth, rather than at the expense of it. Let me illustrate the point:
It is the TRUTH that GOD IS LOVE, but it is TRUTH that GOD CHASTENS WHOM HE LOVES and that if we are without chastisement, we are NOT children of God, as the writer of Hebrews teaches in chapter 12. So, if I love my child I will chasten my child. That chastening e voles both correction and direction. The Psalmist wrote, "Thy rod (for correcting) and thy staff (for directing), they comfort me." THAT is TRUTH that indicates LOVE. To put it plainly, there is little need to claim love for a child you will not discipline (correct and direct).
THAT being the case, we must understand that love (God's love in us - 1 Cor 13:4-8) - DEMANDS that we LOVE according to revealed TRUTH and not without it. Love without truth leads to an un disciplined life, but truth without love leads to a hard heart. We MUST.LOVE, so we MUST discipline! We MUST discipline, so we MUST LOVE.
All things considered, we can conclude that the most disciplined of us are the most loving, and the most loving of us are disciplined. That is the balance! To love without disciple leads to slothfulness, but to discipline without love leads to harshness.
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