Repent To The Lord

Repent To The Lord

REPENT

Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. Hosea 4:17

This is one of the saddest statements in Scripture. The people of Ephraim had become so attached to their idols that God finally says, “Let them alone.”

In one sense, this command may relate to the prophet Hosea’s interactions with these people: “Let them alone; do not make friends with them; do not accept counsel from them; do not join yourself to them.”

This is the same counsel Jesus gave concerning the Jewish leaders, who consistently rejected God’s revelation to them: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Don’t follow the lead of those who are so glued to their personal idols and selfish ambitions that they reject the authority of Christ upon their lives.

But primarily it is clear that God is here informing Hosea that, as a prophet, he will no longer be given any message for the people of Ephraim. God will not be speaking to them anymore. They have persisted in rebellion and idolatry so long, and so unrelentingly, that God determines to leave them to their misery.

What a terrifying reality this is! To be so hardened in sin that God no longer even speaks to you!

Do not trust your own strength or wisdom or goodness so much that you make fast friends with idolaters and expect to sta.y holy. Do not presume upon God’s mercy and put off repentance — the Holy Ghost himself says, “Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8). Today may be your only chance to repent.

Prayer: Thank You Lord, for the spirit of repentance. Don’t give me over to the wickedness of my heart.

Scriptural Reading: Hosea 4:6-19

Repent To The Lord

Genuine Faith

Genuine Faith

A GENUINE FAITH

I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 3 John 3

While Gaius was a man who held firmly and joyfully to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he was also living this truth out in a daily walk that mirrored his profession. John rejoices that the truth is in Gaius, and that Gaius is in the truth.

First, John says of Gaius, the truth is in him. Christianity is a heart-deep religion; a mere profession of faith or performance of duties does not make one a Christian.

As David reminded himself, in his prayer of repentance after straying into hypocrisy, God desires “truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6), not just a shell of outward actions that may convince others. God is not pleased unless the beliefs we are professing are flowing out of a heart that has lovingly and joyfully embraced the truth of God’s Word.

On the other hand, Gaius was not content to only have warm and fuzzy feelings for the truth; he was determined to live its practical implications out in a consistent and complimentary walk.

And, as John points out in his inspired commentary, this is the critical indicator of a genuine faith: “He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God” (11).

Is the truth in you? Are you walking in the truth? Has it captivated your heart to the point that it flows over and into the decisions you make and the way you live?

Prayer: Inspire a genuine faith in me, Lord.

Scriptural Reading: 3 John 1-4

Genuine Faith

The Comforter

The Comforter

THE COMFORTER

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:4

God gives us comfort in all our tribulation. There is not a sickness, or a loss, or a pain, or a frustration for which God does not provide comfort.

He comforts us in His Word, the Bible. When we read His promises and discover His character, we receive the great comfort that is meant for us in His Word. We are reminded that God is good and that God is sovereign. And we are told that His sovereign goodness is at work in this universe on behalf of believers.

He comforts us with His Spirit. In fact, the Spirit of God is called our Comforter. When no human can understand, when no words can relieve, the Spirit of God is still able to minister to our soul. By pointing us to the finished work of Christ and drawing us to the person of Christ, the Holy Spirit sets our feet on solid ground even when our world is falling apart around us.

But there is another way, Paul tells us, in which God comforts us. The very trials and consolations we have experienced will be used to help others through their personal pains. God’s Word brings comfort to others as we share with others the scriptures that have helped us. The Spirit of God brings comfort as we testify of the sufficiency of Christ even in the midst of our personal agony.

Through the very comfort that we ourselves have received, we must comfort those who are hurting around us. Who can you be of comfort to today?

Prayer: Lord, You are my comfort. Help me comfort those hurting with the comfort with which You have comforted me.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

The Comforter

Trust In The Lord

Trust In The Lord

TRUST IN THE LORD

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Things will happen in life where you find yourself saying, “I don’t get this. Everything was going along just fine until now. I don’t get this at all.” You might even say, “God, why?”

It’s okay to ask God why. Just don’t expect an answer. It is not because there is no answer. The reason is that even if God gave you an answer, you wouldn’t get it.

When I try to explain certain things to my grandchildren, there are some things they get and some things they don’t. They are not ready to grasp them just yet.

In the same way, the infinite God could try and explain something to you, and you would say, “Uh, I don’t agree with that. I think it’s a bad decision, even.”

So God says, “I’m not even going to bother explaining it to you. I am with you. That is My answer. I am with you, and I will get you through it. And in time, you will look back and will see things working together for good. Ultimately, on the other side, you will get the big picture. But until then, you will have to just trust Me.”

Maybe you’re going through a storm right now. Maybe you’ve even had a shipwreck of sorts—a trauma, a tragedy. You’re saying, “I don’t know how to handle this. I don’t know what to do.” Here is my suggestion to you: believe God.

Do you believe God? Is He the Lord of your life? Have you said, “Lord, not my will, but your be done?”

Have you come to that place yet? It won’t always be smooth sailing, but you will have a safe arrival.

Prayer: Lord, not my way, not my will, but Yours be done.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11

Trust In The Lord

Trust In The Lord

Trust In The Lord

TRUST IN THE LORD

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Things will happen in life where you find yourself saying, “I don’t get this. Everything was going along just fine until now. I don’t get this at all.” You might even say, “God, why?”

It’s okay to ask God why. Just don’t expect an answer. It is not because there is no answer. The reason is that even if God gave you an answer, you wouldn’t get it.

When I try to explain certain things to my grandchildren, there are some things they get and some things they don’t. They are not ready to grasp them just yet.

In the same way, the infinite God could try and explain something to you, and you would say, “Uh, I don’t agree with that. I think it’s a bad decision, even.”

So God says, “I’m not even going to bother explaining it to you. I am with you. That is My answer. I am with you, and I will get you through it. And in time, you will look back and will see things working together for good. Ultimately, on the other side, you will get the big picture. But until then, you will have to just trust Me.”

Maybe you’re going through a storm right now. Maybe you’ve even had a shipwreck of sorts—a trauma, a tragedy. You’re saying, “I don’t know how to handle this. I don’t know what to do.” Here is my suggestion to you: believe God.

Do you believe God? Is He the Lord of your life? Have you said, “Lord, not my will, but your be done?”

Have you come to that place yet? It won’t always be smooth sailing, but you will have a safe arrival.

Prayer: Lord, not my way, not my will, but Yours be done.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11

Trust In The Lord

Leave A Legacy

Leave A Legacy

LEAVING A LEGACY

Dorcas . . . was full of good works and almsdeeds. . . and all the widows stood by [Peter] weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Acts 9:36,39

Very soon Dorcas would be raised from the dead by the apostle Peter. Doubtless this is at least partially why Luke includes this story in his inspired narrative.

However, at least half the story here also seems to be Dorcas’ life, as much as her resurrection to life. Dorcas, as much as the apostle himself, is the focus of Luke’s narrative. Why?

Not because of the many good works which she had planned to do, but that she had done and, in fact, “was full of.” How many of us have noble desires, charitable plans which never find their way into actions which help or encourage others?

It is easy to have good intentions, but it is another thing to serve and sacrifice for other people. Dorcas did not know the time of her death, but she did know the purpose for life — to honor God by seeking the lowest place in His kingdom.

What a testimony to this woman’s faith! She is fervently missed and publicly mourned by the very widows to whom she had labored with such faithfulness! She was not surrounded by the rich or mighty or well-connected, but by the lowly and helpless and castaways of society. Yet Dorcas had a full life — full of the good works that she had done in the name of her Lord.

What and who will you leave behind you? A lifetime of good works or just a stream of good intentions?

Prayer: Lord, help me live a life of service and leave a legacy to future generations.

Scriptural Reading: Acts 9:36-43

Leave A Legacy

I am Justified

I am Justified

JUSTIFIED

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

Here is a crystal clear description of the justified sinner, from the lips of Jesus Himself, as well as a depiction of the unbeliever’s state before God.

The repentant, bankrupt sinner who comes to Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and trusts in Him is not condemned. He is justified, declared guiltless in the courtroom of heaven.

Notice that it is a present reality, although the believer still sins and falls short here on earth. When we strive to conquer sin, seek to follow Christ, and still find that we daily fall short of the mark, – it is a great comfort to know that God already sees us through the perfection of Christ.

But he that believeth not is condemned already. It is interesting and revealing that this, also, is plainly and purposefully in the present tense. Jesus reflects the calmness and control of heaven, even over those who may loudly and persistently reject the claims of Christ upon their lives.

Why is the unbeliever condemned? Because he has not believed in the name of the Son of God. While God is sovereign in condemning the unbeliever, He does not condemn Him without reason. The unbeliever earns his guilty status by rebelling against the authority of Christ. of Christ.

You have two unmistakable descriptions before you. Which are – you? Are you trusting in the Son of God for salvation? If so, Jesus says, you have already been justified in the eyes of God. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Thank you Father, you have justified and glorified in Christ.

Scriptural Reading: John 3:16-21

I am Justified