I have made the earth

Bible Reading: Judges 14; Acts 18; Jeremiah 27; Mark 13

Jeremiah 27:5-7 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.

This was the message that Jeremiah was to send to the nations surrounding Israel during the days of Nebuchadnezzar. What an amazing thought! The God who created the world can give the land to anyone he pleases. In this situation, God had determined that he was going to allow the king of Babylon to control all those lands. God made him very powerful and gave him much. However, it was only for a short time. During his life and until his grandson would be the extent of his rule over these lands. God was allowing him this power for God's own purpose.

When you look at the reign of Nebuchadnezzar you see a pagan, idolatrous man. Babylon was a sensual and wealthy place of pride and greed. Why would God allow this nation to rule the others? God was using Babylon to chasten Judah. Do you think that God would still do something like that today? Would God permit a ruler that is not a righteous man and give him much power in order to chasten his own people? Jesus says:

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

During the days of the exile of Judah, God used a wicked nation and a pagan king for his purposes. He can do that today. What is the word of Jesus for us when we are being chastened? He says be zealous and repent. Get on fire for Jesus and change your mind about the old thinking you have. This is revival. Jesus is telling us that if we want to follow him, we need zeal and repentance. Do you think the current state of things in America today could be allowed by God in order to chasten the church? Does God want his children to get back on track? Of course he does! Jesus says to the church:

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

He is knocking on the door of the church. Let's open the door and let Jesus in!

In Christ,

Rody

Jesus sat over against the treasury

Bible Reading: Judges 13; Acts 17; Jeremiah 26; Mark 12

Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

To teach his disciples he sat near the treasury and beheld how people cast money in. It was apparent that rich people cast much money in. Jesus was simply observing what was going on and I wonder if he still does the same thing today. You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their checkbook. What do you spend your money on? Do you invest it in the kingdom of heaven?

Mark 12:42-44 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

It is not that Jesus was rebuking the rich. They were bringing in their tithes and offerings to the house of God. Jesus was comparing the rich and a poor widow. If you have $100 and you give $10 that is a tenth, or the tithe. However, this woman only had two mites and she gave both of them. She gave all that she had. Why would she do that? She wanted to honor the Lord with her substance.

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

This poor widow was showing that her trust was in the LORD. Honoring God was her first priority because obviously she knew that those two mites were given to her by God in the first place. She also believed in doing what she could. She did not say that two mites was so little that it was not worthy to bring to the house of God. A bunch of people who give two mites adds up! She was not an idolater! She was worshipping and serving God and the false god Mammon did not have a hold on her.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Do you think that God took care of that widow? I do. She trusted God, not money. She was free from the love of money and she showed it by her love for God. I am sure that God took care of her and I am sure that God will take care of you too. Trust him!

In Christ,

Rody

What must I do to be saved?

Bible Reading: Judges 12; Acts 16; Jeremiah 25; Mark 11

Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

The Philippian jailor was about to commit suicide. He had been charged with keeping Paul and Silas safe in the prison until the magistrates could figure out what to do with them. During the night an earthquake rattled the jail and opened all the doors. When the jailor awoke and saw the doors open he knew that his life was forfeit because he had failed. He took his sword and was going to end his life, when Paul called out to him that they were all there.

He wanted to know what he must do to be saved. He had heard them singing praises and witnessing to the Lord Jesus Christ and he knew that they were legitimate. The apostles answered that he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Please notice they did not say he had to do good works. He did not say that the jailor had to repent of all his sins. He said he had to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved. Paul also told him the promise was for his house.

Acts 16:32-33 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

They took time to speak to him and all that were in his house the word of the Lord. That same night the jailor and his whole household were saved. They were then baptized. Now some say this is evidence of infant baptism but that is not true. There is no mention of infants here. Please notice that the apostles took time to speak the word of the Lord to the jailor and to all that were in his house. In order to be baptized, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. An infant cannot believe yet, they are too little. Paul baptized no infants – only believers. The Bible says so:

Acts 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

A whole household got saved that night. Everyone was old enough to understand the gospel and believe. They then were glad to follow Jesus in a believer's baptism. What an exciting night! What an exciting promise! No wonder they were singing praises while chained up – they knew that even in a jail, Jesus Christ can change lives. Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you trust him alone for salvation? Are you taking opportunities to speak to people the word of the Lord so they can believe and be saved?

In Christ,

Rody

God made them male and female

Bible Reading: Judges 11:12-40; Acts 15; Jeremiah 24; Mark 10

Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

When asked about divorce, Jesus gave the Pharisees a comprehensive teaching on marriage. He first took them all the way back to creation. In the garden, God witnessed the very first marriage. Jesus affirmed the creation history in the book of Genesis. God created the heaven and the earth. He planted a garden and made a man and a woman. He brought the woman to the man and they became one flesh.

In God's design, he created them male and female. There are some who say they are homosexual and God made them that way. This statement is not true. Sin is the cause for homosexuality. A liar cannot say God made him that way. A murderer cannot say God made him that way. An adulterer cannot say God made him that way. Neither can a sexually confused homosexual say that God made him that way.

God's design for marriage is for one man and one woman to be married for as long as they both live.

Mark 10:7-9 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

The man leaves his father and mother as far as a family is concerned and a new family is begun when he marries his wife. He cleaves to her so tightly that they become one flesh. God now sees them as one flesh. They become something new as far as a family unit is concerned. They are united together by God himself. It is God that puts a man and his wife together. If that one flesh relationship is torn apart by divorce, it is always done by man.

Our world is so confused over marriage. Some want to have 'same sex marriage'. That is not marriage. Marriage is God's idea and is laid out in his Word from the very creation. We cannot redefine it to mean something different that what God intends it to mean. Many within the media, the government and the church are trying hard to do away with God's plan for marriage. We must believe and teach the truth about marriage. We must live the truth in our day to day lives. Do you have a spouse? Thank God for him or her. Cherish them and encourage others to do the same!

In Christ,

Rody

The door of faith

Bible Reading: Judges 10-11:11; Acts 14; Jeremiah 23; Mark 9

Acts 14:26-27 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

When Paul and Barnabas returned from their first missionary journey they had much to celebrate! They had seen the Lord do wonderful things in the lives of many Gentiles. They had responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ in faith and many were saved. On Paphos Paul blinded a sorcerer named Elymas and God opened the eyes of the deputy, Sergius Paulus to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. In Antioch in Pisidia almost the whole city came to hear them preach the gospel. There were a great many Gentiles that believed and were saved. In Iconium the Lord gave testimony to his word and granted that signs and wonders to be done by their hands (Acts 14:3). Things got out of hand and the apostles had to flee to Lystra and Derbe because they were going to be stoned for preaching Jesus.

At Lystra the people mistook Paul and Barnabas for Jupiter and Mercury because a lame man was healed. The people were so captivated by the apostles and the sign they had seen that the pagan priest was going to sacrifice oxen to them. They finally got that stopped but envious Jews from Iconium had followed them and they defamed Paul. They stirred the people up so much that they stoned Paul and, thinking he was dead, drug his body outside the city. He was hurt, but not dead and the next day they departed for Derbe.

Then they returned to all the cities they had preached in (even Iconium) and confirmed the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith. They also ordained elders for the church in each city. After a few more preaching stops they returned to Antioch where they had set out from and called the church together they told all that God had done with them. What a celebration! What stories they had to tell! What excitement!

The most exciting thing was that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. The gospel is for all people no matter where they live, what color their skin is, or what false religion they now follow. Paul told the Roman church:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

You and I need to be hearing and telling missionary stories like these. We need to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. It may be a return from the grocery store instead of from Iconium, but we need to know that God has opened the door of faith and there is work for us to fulfill.

In Christ,

Rody

Thou savourest not the things that be of God

Bible Reading: Judges 9; Acts 13; Jeremiah 22; Mark 8

Mark 8:31-33 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

The word translated 'savourest' means to desire; think about or to set your affection on. What do you set your affection on? As we study the life of the apostle Peter we see that he had a habit of speaking up and saying what was on his mind. On this occasion, Jesus had just told his disciples that he was on his way to the cross and the resurrection. This was too much for Peter and he actually rebuked Jesus for saying this! (Sounds like Peter had a little 'word of faith' about him and was instructing Jesus not to speak a 'negative confession'!) Jesus immediately rebuked Peter and he actually called him Satan!

Anything that got in the way of Jesus fulfilling his mission would have been Satanic. Peter proved that he was not thinking about the things of God but the things of man. Have you ever had to rebuke Jesus? When he says one of those things you just have a hard time with and you are sure he is mistaken have you ever thought in your mind, "Lord, that can't be right!" Here are a few:

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Luke 9:23-24 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

We can't rebuke Jesus! When we hear his word and think he is wrong, it just shows us how dull of hearing we really are. Anything that gets in the way of the mission of Jesus is rebuked by him for two reasons:

1. It is the things of man and not the things of God.
   
2. It is Satanic in origin.
   

Are you standing in the way of the mission of Jesus or are you hearing his word and walking in faith with him in the harvest field?

In Christ,

Rody

Prayer was made without ceasing

Bible Reading: Judges 8; Acts 12; Jeremiah 21; Mark 7

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Herod had already killed James and now he had Peter in jail. He was going to wait until after his pagan festival of Easter and then kill Peter. At least, that was his plan, but God had other plans! During his stay in prison, the church was constantly praying to God for Peter. There is always something we need to be in prayer about, but a brother who is awaiting execution for preaching the gospel is a heavy burden. The Bible says:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Do you constantly turn your cares and anxieties to prayers? Do you take God at his word and boldly go to him in your time of need?

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

God heard the prayers of the church in Jerusalem and he sent an angel to remove the chains on Peter's hands and open the gates of the prison. When Peter was convinced that this was really happening and not just a vision, he went to John Mark's house. Many of the church were there praying for his release. A young girl went to the door and saw that Peter was outside. She went back and told them Peter was outside.

Acts 12:15-16 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

They were praying for Peter's release but when it happened, they were astonished! If God were to send and angel to answer your prayers, would you be astonished? What are you asking God for right now that is big enough for you to be astonished when he answers your prayer? Is it possible to be praying for something that you really don't think God is going to do? Would that be praying in faith?

James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Not only must we pray without ceasing, but we must pray in faith believing that God will answer!

In Christ,

Rody

The people that are with thee are too many

Bible Reading: Judges 7; Acts 11; Jeremiah 20; Mark 6

Judges 7:2 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

God wanted Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites and Amalekites that were oppressing Israel. It took some convincing for Gideon to be convinced, but after some fleeces he was ready to go out against the enemies of his people. However, God said the thirty-two thousand men who gathered to go to battle were too many! Now remember how many of the enemies were camped against Israel:

Judges 7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

Why would God reduce the army to only three hundred men? That does not make sense! Yet God told Gideon what his reason was: Israel might vaunt themselves against the LORD saying they had gained the victory by their own hand. To vaunt means to be lifted up with pride and to boast or brag. Could this happen to you? Of course it could and we know what God's Word says about pride.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

The Lord has to reduce us sometimes so that we will know of a certainty who really won the victory. During the days of the rebuilding of the temple after the exile, God had to continually encourage the people through his prophets that though they were small in number, he would give them the victory:

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things?

We must realize that God does not need mighty armies to win victories. It is not by human might or power but by his Spirit that he accomplishes his will. We must not despise the day of small things because if God is in it the victory will come! Jesus told a small church that he had set an open door before them:

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Have you experienced a reduction? Then rejoice because God is victorious and he gets all the glory!

In Christ,

Rody

Whosoever believeth in him

Bible Reading: Judges 6; Acts 10; Jeremiah 19; Mark 5

Acts 10:43 To him [Jesus] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

When Peter preached to Cornelius and his household, he told them that all the prophets in the Old Testament gave witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. That is amazing in light of the fact that many of the religious leaders who knew the Prophets so well rejected him! Yet they all gave witness to Jesus. Here are a few specific instances:

Jude 1:14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Psalms 22:15-16 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The Old Testament says that Jesus is coming. The New Testament says that Jesus is here! And with the New Testament (Covenant) comes the amazing and wonderful news that having your sins taken away is available to all and anyone. Peter shared the message with Gentiles at Cornelius' house and he told them exactly what they needed to do to have their sins removed. They needed to believe in Jesus. It is amazing that so many want to add something to the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. We have such a hard time receiving gifts! We want to earn the things that we have. But we cannot earn eternal life. It is a gift and the way to receive it is to believe on the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Do you believe in Jesus?

In Christ,

Rody

If that nation turn from their evil

Bible Reading: Judges 5; Acts 9; Jeremiah 18; Mark 4

Jeremiah 18:7-8 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

There is still hope for America! If you look around and see how far we have fallen from where we started as a nation and mourn, you will know that we cannot hope to continue in this path without reaping the consequences for the evil we have sowed. Has God spoken against America as a nation? Not directly, but indirectly he has.

Abortion - Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood…

Over one million abortions are performed in the United States each year! That is like lining up one million children in front of a firing squad and shouting "Fire!" God hates this.

Homosexuality - Romans 1:26-27 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Lying - Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Lying would of course be the biggest of all. And it is enough to send anyone to hell. So if our nation were like Judah, we would be chastened for our apostasy. However, look at the goodness of God. If that nation will turn from their evil, God will repent. He will change his mind about destroying that nation. National repentance begins with you and me. Are we living a lie before God? Are we trusting in Christ and walking as he walked? Do we have a love for God; a love for our neighbor; a love for our brothers and sisters in Christ and a love for our enemies as Jesus has told us to have?

We must listen to the words of John the Baptist who informed the religious leaders of his day.

Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.

Does the fruit of our life show that we are constantly changing our minds to conform to the will of God? Are we living what we say we believe? This is the only hope for anyone, not just America. Let's follow Jesus!

In Christ,

Rody

How can I except some man should guide me?

Bible Reading: Judges 4; Acts 8; Jeremiah 17; Mark 3

Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

When Philip asked the eunuch from Ethiopia if he understood what he was reading from the prophet Isaiah, this was his answer. Do you know Jesus? Then you are the man (or woman)! The world is looking for a man, some man who can guide them. God is looking for a man, some man who can guide others to his Son! Now, our world is looking for a man to guide them, but they want a political messiah who can save them from themselves. This will never happen. The false messiah that comes will be the Antichrist. Even though many do not know it, they need a man to guide them to the Messiah who has come and is coming again – Jesus!

In order for you to be the man (or woman) who guides others to Jesus, you must be guided by God yourself. Philip was sensitive to the Word of the Lord and when he was told to go, he went!

Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

The Bible says that a child of God is led by God's Spirit.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

If you are truly led by God, you will be led to those who need God. Are you ready to guide them to Jesus? Could you take a Bible and preach Jesus to someone? That is exactly what Philip did.

Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Philip's guidance he provided for the Eunuch was to start where he was and preach Jesus to him. He did not get sidetracked with other things. He took him to the One who could save him. You see, this is the way God works. He saves people by using other people who are saved.

Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

God reveals his righteousness through the gospel from faith to faith. Philip had faith in Jesus Christ and he led the Eunuch to faith. Are you ready to guide someone to Jesus Christ? God wants to guide you so you can be a guide to others.

In Christ,

Rody

Forgot the LORD their God

Bible Reading: Judges 3; Acts 7; Jeremiah 16; Mark 2

Judges 3:5-7 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

How can anyone forget God? The Bible tells us again and again that your spouse will either do you good or lead you astray. For the children of Israel, they did not completely drive the Canaanites out of the land. They lived among them and made them servants to the Israelites. It was not long before the Israelites began to intermarry with the Canaanites. When they did this Israel began to serve their gods. It only took one generation for Israel to forget the LORD their God!

Moses had given them God's law and specifically warned them about this:

Exodus 34:14-16 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

Please notice that God considers the worship of false gods to be 'whoring after their gods'. This means he expects his people to be faithful to him and worshipping a false god is spiritual adultery. If God makes a man and his wife 'one flesh', then how important is it that they believe the same thing?

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Can you walk with God and not agree with him? Answer – no. Can you walk with your spouse and not agree with him/her? Answer – no. If you are going to walk together, you must agree. As we look at the sad state of America today, might we see that Christians in this county have forgotten the LORD Jesus Christ? Is it possible that a generation ago the sons and daughters of believers married unbelievers and began to worship false gods? Many false gods are worshipped in this land. Mammon (Money), Bachus (the god of wine and pleasure), Mars (the god of war), and Me (worshipping myself as a god) are all favorite American gods.

As believers in Jesus Christ it is imperative that we have a Biblical view of marriage. We need to learn from the mistakes of Israel and not make the same ones! Let's worship Jesus alone! He is worthy.

In Christ,

Rody

Though Moses and Samuel Stood Before Me

Bible Reading: Judges 2; Acts 6; Jeremiah 15; Mark 1

Jeremiah 15:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

The LORD told Jeremiah not to pray for the children of Israel. God was going to send them into exile and he would not change his mind.

Jeremiah 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.

God said it would not matter if Moses and Samuel stood before the Lord on behalf of the people. Judah was in a terrible position because God said he would not hear the two mighty intercessors on their behalf. Do you remember what these men did? Both of them were tasked with serving a rebellious people and both of them interceded for that people and God heard their prayers and spared them because of the prayers of Moses and Samuel.

Exodus 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Exodus 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

1 Samuel 7:9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

The people of Jeremiah's day had crossed a line and God would not hear the prayers of righteous men on their behalf. Do you ever wish you had a man like Moses or Samuel to pray for you because they have a 'direct line to God'? If that is the case, you need to understand what an incredible change God has made in you when he saved you. He made you righteous. He gave you access to his throne of grace. He will hear your prayer just as he heard the prayers of men of old. Not only that, but until God draws that line for someone, you and I are instructed to pray for them:

1 John 5:16-17 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

You can intercede like Samuel and Moses!

James 5:16b -17 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

You can pray like Elijah, Moses and Samuel – so let's pray!

In Christ,

Rody

Even unto the end of the world

Bible Reading: Judges 1; Acts 5; Jeremiah 14; Matthew 28

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

After the Resurrection and prior to his ascension to the right hand of the Father, Jesus instructed his disciples on numerous occasions. These last verses from the book of Matthew are the Lord's 'marching orders' for the disciples and for the church.

Power - Jesus begins by telling us the authority we have for the gospel mission. All power in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Can we preach the gospel? Yes, we have the authority and power of Jesus to do just that. Not only are we authorized by our Creator to preach the gospel, but we are also empowered by him for that task. He has given us the Holy Spirit who gives us power for the preaching of the gospel.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Purpose – We are empowered by Jesus to go and teach all nations. Every nation under the sun needs to be taught the Word of God. We must begin by teaching them of the fall of man and our sin debt we owe to God. We must teach them that apart from Jesus Christ, we all perish. We must teach everyone that God forgives sin based on the propitiatory death of Jesus Christ. We must teach them of the resurrection of Jesus. Then we are authorized to baptize them in the name of our triune God! This is our purpose as a church. Isn't it interesting that Jesus did not say, "Go and feed all the hungry people of the world"? He did not say, "Go and establish democratic government in the world." No, he said preach the gospel. When we do that, those other things will follow with the work of the Holy Spirit in people's lives. We are to teach all things that Jesus has commanded us. This will include work ethic, government that is fair and just and the love of neighbor.

Perpetual – This commission is ongoing. It did not end with the death of the apostles. Notice that Jesus promises us his presence even to the end of the world. Until Jesus comes again, we are to be about his business. Are you taking part in this commission?

In Christ,

Rody

 

I delivered you

Bible Reading: Joshua 24; Acts 4; Jeremiah 13; Matthew 27

Joshua 24:9-10 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you: But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.

When Joshua gave all the Israelites their inheritance in the land of Canaan, he gathered all Israel together at Shechem and reminded them of how they got to where they were. Have you ever just set back and looked back on your life to see how God brought you to where you are today? If you see a turtle sitting on top of a fence post, you can be sure he did not get there by himself! Where you are today has come about with God at work in your life! Joshua reminded the children of Israel that he had delivered them out of the hand of the king of Moab who would have had Balaam curse them.

You remember the story – Balak offered a large sum of money to Balaam to curse the Israelites. Every time he prayed about it, God told him they were a blessed people and he could not curse them. So Balaam would pronounce a blessing on the Israelites and Balak would get upset. Finally, Balaam found the weakness of the children of Israel and instructed Balak on how he could put a stumbling block before them. They disobeyed God and suffered the consequences for it.

Do you know that no one can curse those whom God has blessed? Some people live in fear of someone cursing them, but if you are a follower of Christ that is nothing you should fear. No one can touch you without God permitting it. The notion of a curse that someone puts on you is not Biblical for a follower of Jesus. The Bible says:

Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

The curse causeless shall not come. The curse that is simply pronounced by the will of man will not come to the follower of Jesus. There is only one way a follower of Jesus can be cursed.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Some people live in fear of 'generational curses'. The only way you can be cursed is to turn back to the Old Covenant and try to earn your salvation by law-keeping. Any curse that has affected you is broken when you trust in Christ.

Galatians 3:13 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:

You can't break curses! You must be delivered through the blood of Jesus Christ. It was God who delivered the Israelites of old. It is Christ who will deliver you!

In Christ,

Rody

If he had not been born

Bible Reading: Joshua 23; Acts 3; Jeremiah 12; Matthew 26

Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

None of Jesus' disciples knew who the traitor was! Isn't that amazing? Doesn't it seem that after three years of intense ministry they would have a pretty good idea who the pretender was? So they were all asking Jesus who was going to betray him. Jesus pointed out that his betrayal and crucifixion were written of him. In other words, hundreds of years earlier the prophets had foretold what would happen.

Psalms 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

Psalms 22:14-17 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

Jesus was not surprised when Judas betrayed him. He knew it would happen, but his pronouncement of woe is devastating! It had been good for that man if he had not been born! There were both temporal and eternal consequences. For those who do not believe in hell, just think about what Jesus said. To never have existed would be much better than eternal hell. Here is what the Bible says about Judas:

Psalms 109:7-15 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Psalms 55:15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

Jesus knew what awaited Judas. How terrible! You need to trust in Jesus because if you are reading this, you have been born! Trust him and be saved!

In Christ,

Rody

They continued steadfastly

Bible Reading: Joshua 22; Acts 2; Jeremiah 11; Mathew 25

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The book of Acts tells us of the early church after Jesus had ascended to the Father in heaven and he poured out the Holy Ghost on his followers. There were about three thousand Israelites saved on the day of Pentecost at the preaching of the 120 and of Peter. Then with this little verse, the Bible teaches us the practice of those early followers of Jesus. This is such an important verse because it helps us to understand what these new believers did. They were born again through faith in Jesus Christ and that faith continued into a life of discipleship.

The phrase 'they continued steadfastly' means that they were earnest toward these practices. It means that they persevered in these practices and continued diligently in them. They did not start out with diligence only to allow their spiritual fervor to fade later on. Many believers in our day have been side-tracked by other things that draw them away from the important things. Here we see four practices that were diligent about and did not quit on.

1. 
   The apostle's doctrine – this is the teaching that the apostles gave to them. You and I have today the apostle's doctrine recorded in the Bible. Since they did not have a completed New Testament, the apostle's taught the truth of Jesus and his church to them. For us to continue steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine means to be diligent to study the Bible. Are you diligent about studying the Bible?
   
2. Fellowship – this is the shared life of the followers of Christ. The early church was serious about the fact that they were now brothers and sisters in Christ. They regularly met together and grew in their new life as a family. Are you growing in a community of Christ-followers – the church?
   
3. Breaking of bread – very simply those early Christians ate together regularly. One of the best times you can share with anyone else is to share a meal together. They practiced hospitality. This breaking bread surely included their sharing in the Lord's Supper as a church but it was more. They broke bread from house to house (Acts 2:46). Over a meal is a great time to talk about Jesus.
   
4. Prayers – these Christians knew where their connection to the Lord was. They knew that had access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and they regularly prayed for God's grace and mercy in their lives and the lives of the people they came into contact with.
   

As a result of this perseverance in seeking God together the Bible says:

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The life of Jesus flowed out of these believers in such a way that they talked of Jesus everywhere they went (which is to continue steadfastly in evangelism) and every day people were saved. Are you continuing steadfastly?

In Christ,

Rody

He that is greatest among you

Bible Reading: Joshua 18 & 19; Psalms 149 & 150; Jeremiah 9; Matthew 23

Matthew 23:11-12 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

It seems that all of life is lived now trying to get to a place where you do not have to work. Young people go to school and choose careers that will require the least amount of work and the greatest benefit to themselves. Of course this is not always the case. Our current welfare state in our country actually teaches people to let others work and serve them. They are rewarded for being lazy and nonproductive. How our world needs to hear the words of Jesus! The greatest is not the one who makes the most money and retires early. The greatest is the one who serves.

By definition, a servant works. The servant does many things for his master. Either in and around the house or out in the field or place of business, the servant is at work. The servant also works for someone else. He is not managing his own estate and so bettering his position in the world. He is doing the work for the one he serves.

Do you seek to serve or to be served? Think about it and be challenged by the words of Jesus. Do you look for opportunities to serve Jesus and others or do you expect for people to serve you.

A church was having a fellowship meal. There were two groups of people. There were those who showed up and expected to be served. When they received their meal, they ate and talked. However, when they had finished eating, they either sat idly while others cleaned up or they quickly left to get to their next engagement. There was another group of people. They served the others. They had been their early to make the proper arrangements for the meal. They stayed after to make sure everything was put up and the place left clean. In which group do you find yourself?

In man's kingdom, the King is served by all and the great men have servants themselves. In Jesus' kingdom, the king is the greatest servant and his loyal subjects learn from his example and serve him and one another.

Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

To be a servant you need an important attitude – humility. Do not think too highly of yourself. Do not seek glory or fame. Do not expect for people to try to make your life easier. Simply love God and others and seek to help them. Try to go out of your way to be a blessing to others. It matters not if anyone sees your service. The king sees. Jesus knows who the servants are.

In Christ,

Rody

Let them praise the name of the LORD

Bible Reading: Joshua 16 & 17; Psalm 148; Jeremiah 8; Matthew 22

Psalms 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

The Bible says that everything in creation is to praise the name of the LORD. His name alone is excellent. The name of God refers to his character, honor, authority and his attributes. The name of God is absolutely unique. There is no other like him. As Creator, he has made everything that exists including the angels and the host of heaven. He made the earth and all things that are in it. He is the only One who could do something like this, so he is to be praised.

When we praise the name of God, we are acknowledging that his glory is above the earth and the heaven. He is more glorious than anything that he has created. His glory cannot be compared with anything that is created because he is so much higher than those finite things.

Psalms 8:1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

His creatures in heaven praise him:

Isaiah 6:1-3 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

This magnificent glory of the LORD was something that Jesus shared. He masked that glory in humanity during his time on earth, but before he was betrayed, he prayed asking the Father to restore him to that glory.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

When we praise the name of the LORD, what is it? It is the name – JESUS.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The name of Jesus is the name above every name. It is the glorious name at which every knee will bow. At the name of Jesus every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Do you confess that now? Lift high the name of Jesus!

In Christ,

Rody

The publicans and harlots believed him

Bible Reading: Joshua 14 & 15; Psalms 146 & 147; Jeremiah 7; Matthew 21

Matthew 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Repentance is a change of mind. Jesus was confronting the Pharisees with the fact that they were not righteous while many publicans and harlots would be because of their response to the Word of God. John the Baptist preached and the Pharisees believed him not. However, when the publicans and harlots heard him, they believed what he said. Even though many of them had made sinful decisions in their way of life, they changed their minds when they heard the preaching of John the Baptist. The Pharisees would not change. Jesus illustrated this with a parable:

Matthew 21:28-31 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

The first son represents the publicans and harlots. They would not go work in God's vineyard but chose a sinful life instead. However, after a while they repented or changed their minds and believed the words of God's prophet. The second son represents the Pharisees who said they would work in God's vineyard but never actually did. They came up with their own religious ideas and never actually did the will of God.

Biblical repentance is not sorrow for sin. It may lead to that, but by definition it is a change of mind. So it works like this. You are living your life one way. You hear the Word of God and realize that what you believe is not right and you change your mind. Then you are free to believe what God says and act accordingly. When it comes to salvation, many people believe if you live a 51% righteous life, you will be OK with God. When you hear the Word of God that says:

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Then you change your mind about what you believe you have repented. You must do away with your old belief and believe what God's Word says. Repentance is the change of mind. Faith is believing what God says. You cannot have one without the other.

What part does repentance play in your life right now? What old ways of thinking and acting do you need to abandon so you can believe the Word of God? The Father is looking for workers in his vineyard. Will you go?

In Christ,

Rody

Reprobate silver

Bible Reading: Joshua 12 & 13; Psalm 145; Jeremiah 6; Matthew 20

Jeremiah 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem would fall to the Babylonian army. This was a disciplinary action by the Lord upon his people because they would not obey or honor him. He had tried again and again to get their attention. He had sent prophet after prophet to them and they would not hear.

Jeremiah 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

God uses a simile to compare the people to silver. Like a founder putting a precious metal in a fire to melt out the impurities, God has done this with his people. However, instead of melting out the impurities and leaving that which is most precious, God has found them to be reprobate silver. This is silver that is to be rejected because it is not genuine. When the fire is applied, this all burns up because there is no real silver in it. How sad to think that God came looking for genuine faith in Jerusalem and found only dross!

There are several warnings in the Bible for us to consider the genuineness of our faith in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

As a refiner assays the genuine nature of silver by putting it in the fire, the Bible tells us to examine ourselves to see if Jesus Christ is in us. When the fire is applied to a believer's life, everything that is not Jesus will burn off and he will be left. But if the fire is applied and there is no Jesus that person is reprobate – rejected as not genuine. The apostle Paul was confident that the Corinthian's faith was genuine, but he told them to examine their lives anyway. You should too.

What are we looking for when we examine our lives for the genuine, precious life of Jesus within us? We are looking for a genuine faith and a change of life that shows the reality of Jesus living in us. A person who is reprobate is a professor but not a possessor of Jesus Christ.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

This is why fiery trials come our way – to test the genuine nature of our faith.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

True faith in Jesus comes out of the fire showing the genuine relationship with Jesus Christ in your life.

In Christ,

Rody

Eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake

Bible Reading: Joshua 11; Psalm 144; Jeremiah 5; Matthew 19

Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

A eunuch is a castrated male in the most literal sense. Jesus here is answering a question about marriage from his disciples. When they heard that a man who divorces his wife for any cause other than fornication and marries another woman is committing adultery they reasoned that it was not good to marry. Jesus however, does not say that. He says that when it comes to marriage, there are some who it would be good for them not to marry.

There are those who are born eunuchs from their mother's womb. These people are born without the desire (or possibility the ability) to be married. Jesus is not here saying these people do not desire the opposite sex. He is saying they are born not desiring to be sexually active, period. There are others who are made eunuchs by men. The ancient world mutilated men who were in charge of their harems. We see several of these men in scripture. The last group that Jesus mentions is those who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. These people have chosen to remain celibate so they can more fully serve Jesus Christ.

This is not something that can be imposed upon someone else. Herein is the great disaster of the pedophilia in many Roman Catholic priests. These men have been forced to choose a lifestyle that they are 'not able to receive'. Paul was a man who had chosen a celibate lifestyle to better serve Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Please notice that he here says each person has their own gift from God. This is the same word used to describe 'spiritual gifts' elsewhere in Scripture. If you don't have the gift, you must marry. A person who has this gift is able to give one hundred percent of their attention to serving Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:32-33 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

If you are a married person, thank God for your husband or wife. If you are a young person seeking God's will, realize that there is a spiritual gift that Jesus gives to some who are able to live a celibate life to serve him. If you don't have that gift, rejoice because God has a husband or wife for you!

In Christ,

Rody

 

Wise to do evil

Bible Reading: Joshua 10; Psalm 142 & 143; Jeremiah 4; Matthew 18

For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. (Jeremiah 4:22)

Here in Jeremiah, God gives us a definition of foolishness. First, it is to not know God. Some are fools who deny even the existence of God:

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalms 14:1)

The fool can also be right in the middle of God's people. Jeremiah was speaking of Israel because God called them, "his people". His people have not known God! You say, how can you be in the midst of the people of God and not know him? It happens all the time! Jesus warned us that there would be many in this category.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

God calls the fool a 'sottish' child. Sottish is a word that means silly, dull, stupid or senseless. The fool does not understand God or his ways. He goes through life without a Biblical understanding. This makes sense because Jesus is true wisdom:

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)

The foolish person is wise in one area – he is wise to do evil. He knows how to do that which God abhors. He studies it and grows proficient at it. But to do good he has no knowledge. The foolish man is the natural man.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

It is the fool who is wise to do evil but thinks the things of God are foolishness. The fool does not understand God but he is worldly wise. Take a long, hard look at your life. Do you understand the things of God? Do you love Jesus? Do you love reading his word? Do you love his bride, the church? Do you desire to see people saved like he does? These things are good fruit that the Holy Spirit brings out of the wise person.

In Christ,

Rody

Let the righteous smite me

Bible Reading: Joshua 9; Psalm 140 & 141; Jeremiah 3; Matthew 17

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. (Psalms 141:5)

David is praying to God in this Psalm and asking him to hear his prayer and keep him from evil. He knows that if his heart is captured by something evil, it could draw him into sin and away from God. No follower of Jesus wants for something like that to happen to us. In order to stay where God wants him to be, David asked God to give David accountability in two areas.

First, David asks for God himself to set a watch on David's mouth.

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. (Psalms 141:3-4)

David knows that the heart and the mouth are tied together so that the mouth speaks what the heart thinks. What comes out of your mouth? It is a good indicator of where your heart is.

Next, David asks God to use a righteous brother in the LORD to smite him. This sounds crazy at first. Why would he ask for someone to smite him? He defines what he means in the next phrase, "Let him reprove me." In other words, David is praying and asking God to put a brother in his life who will smite him with the words of reproof when he strays away from God. Reproof is hard to take. It strikes at the prideful heart in us. However, it is necessary to grow in grace. The Bible says:

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6)

The faithful friend who will speak up when we stray is like excellent oil that is a healing balm to our soul. It is a smite, but it will not break a bone. Like a surgeon's scalpel that cuts it also heals. Do you pray and ask God for a righteous friend who will smite you with reproof when necessary? You should.

David points out the mutual friendship of him and this person as he says that his prayer would be in their calamities as well. When that brother was in trouble, David would be praying for him. All followers of Jesus need friendships like this. We need brothers we can trust to tell us the hard truth even if it hurts and who we can pray with in our times of need. I hope you have a friend like that. I encourage you to BE a friend like that to others.

In Christ,

Rody

Fearfully and wonderfully made

Bible Reading: Joshua 8; Psalm 139; Jeremiah 2; Matthew 16

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:13-16)

Is a child in his mother's womb a human being? The Bible says so in this Psalm. David says the LORD 'possessed his reins' while in his mother's womb. This possession is one of a craftsman who owns that which he is making. Reins refer to the innermost being of a person. The Lord made David as a craftsman would fashion something beautiful in his mother's womb. In the most secret place on the earth – the womb of a mother – God 'wrought' a human being. However, even though no human could watch this making, the eyes of God watched every facet of the making. He watched as the child, though fully human, was not perfect. In other words, the child was not finished in the growth process. With tiny hands and feet having fingers and toes that were nothing more than little buds, David was not yet ready for life outside of the womb.

God not only watched this, but he caused it. Twice in this Psalm, David says he was 'made'. He also says he was 'curiously wrought'. God is the Master Craftsman who fashions babies in the wombs of their mothers. God also knew David before he was born. He had a book in which he knew the number of David's days. These days were fashioned in the mind of God before one of them had been lived out.

If God knew the number of days of David's life while he was still growing inside his mother's womb, how could anyone say that a fetus is not a child? Can you imagine the grief in the heart of God when he knows that the mother of the child he is 'making' inside her womb will choose to murder the child even before the Lord is finished making that little baby? A mother and father should be praying as that baby is growing to seek God's will for the child's life. They should be asking wisdom from God to train up the child in the way that he should go. God knows those little ones. He is intimately involved in their 'making'. Would you just sit back and be amazed with David at the work of God. His work is marvelous! Let's praise God for life and cherish it, for it is precious!

In Christ,

Rody

They shall fight against thee

Bible Reading: Joshua 7; Psalm 137 & 138; Jeremiah 1; Matthew 15

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee. (Jeremiah 1:19)

The prophet would not be spared the fight! God would protect the prophet in the midst of the fight but the people would fight against Jeremiah. All throughout Israel's history in the Bible they had to fight. They would face enemies and God would give them the victory even against unbelievable odds. When God called Jeremiah, he told him that he would give him the words to say.

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. (Jeremiah 1:17)

Jeremiah was to be ready. When he spoke what God told him to, the people would not like it! By the look on their faces you would be able to see that they were upset by the words that Jeremiah brought. Jeremiah was not to let this deter him. He was to be prepared for this and go on speaking what God told him.

For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. (Jeremiah 1:18)

God had made Jeremiah into something that could withstand the abuse and criticism that would come his way. God had made him a defenced city. He had high walls around his heart to guard against the sleight he would take. As an iron pillar of strength and brazen walls he would be able to stand when the people did not like what he had to say.

Jeremiah was prepared by God for his task. It would not be easy because the people of the land no longer would hear God's word. They had strayed far away from God and Jeremiah was to point out their sins and call them back. The prophet task of Jeremiah is pertinent in our day as well. The people of our land do not know Jesus. The Bible is not the light for the paths of most Americans. The need to call them out of darkness and into the glorious light of Jesus is as great as it has ever been. However, the task will be like Jeremiah's. They will not like it. The people will fight against the prophets who boldly stand and proclaim the truth.

It is the calling of God's people throughout the ages to endure the fight and go through it by God's power. Will you stand boldly for the truth of God's Word? Will you stand pillar-straight and like a brazen wall against the opposition you will face? You can with Jesus' help!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

In Christ,

Rody

Neither shall their fire be quenched

Bible Reading: Joshua 6:6-27; Psalm 135-136; Isaiah 66; Matthew 14

And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Isaiah 66:23-24)

The ending of the prophecy of Isaiah tells of a future day when humanity will be separated into two groups. There will be the worshippers of God. They will live in a time of new heavens and a new earth.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

Those who are worshippers of God will regularly come before King Jesus to worship him.

The other group of people will be seen by the worshippers as they go forth from worshipping the King. These are those who have transgressed against the Lord. The Bible says the worshippers will look upon their carcasses because they are in a place where their worm shall not die. They are in a place where their fire will not be quenched. To look upon them will be abhorrent to the worshippers. These people are in a place called hell. Jesus describes this place in Mark:

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:43-44)

It is hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die. These people who have transgressed against the Lord have an eternal existence. Their misery will never end. The fire has continual fuel. The worms have continual food.

What was the transgression of the wicked in hell?

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

They did not know God nor would they obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They refused to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ when he says:

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29)

Hell is a reality. The only way out is to trust in Jesus Christ now. Which group will you be in?

In Christ,

Rody

The last state of that man

Bible Reading: Joshua 4; Psalms 129-131; Isaiah 64; Matthew 12

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:43-45)

Jesus spoke these words to the religious but lost Pharisees. He uses a situation where a single person deals with the demonic influence in their life and he applies it to the generation who rejected him in his day. Here is what he teaches. A man has an unclean spirit that he somehow gets rid of. This unclean spirit wanders around for a while seeking a place of rest, but finds none. Then he returns to the man he came out of. The spirit refers to the man as 'his house'. When he returns to his 'house' he finds it empty, swept and garnished.

This is the man who tries to reform his life without being regenerated. He gets rid of something bad. He 'cleans up' his life but his life is still empty. There is no one living in the man. His life is an empty vessel waiting to be filled or occupied. This person is vulnerable to not only the return of the unclean spirit but to other unclean spirits moving in as well.

There is a Spirit that must dwell in your house. He is the Holy Spirit of God that Jesus promised.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)

A vacant house is just waiting for the unclean to come and fill. If you try to reform your life without being regenerated, you will fail miserably. Take for an example the many people who have tried to quit a bad habit like smoking. The first time they quit, it is fairly easy, but they usually start again. The next time it is much harder for them to quit. You can't just kick the demons out and expect them to stay out. The Holy Spirit has got to own the house and move in permanently.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (Titus 3:5-6)

Lasting change can only come when you life has new ownership. Who lives in you?

In Christ,

Rody

He that is least in the kingdom of heaven

Bible Reading: Joshua 3; Psalms 126-128; Isaiah 63; Matthew 11

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)

According to Jesus the greatest man ever born was John the Baptist. As a prophet he was TOTALLY FOCUSED on the mission given to him by God. He was not captured with the lusts of the flesh or of the world. Zachariah and Elizabeth had raised him right! They had kept him from worldly influences. He knew who he was and what God had called him to do.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:1-4)

His ascetic lifestyle kept him from the temptations of the world. He was prophesied by Isaiah and he preached repentance. However, according to Jesus if you are born again, you are greater than John. How could Jesus say that? You have more light as a follower of Jesus than John had.

John was looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. You know his name – Jesus. John was waiting for the redemption that was to come. You have been washed with the precious blood of the lamb. John was awaiting the day when God's Spirit would be poured out upon men and women. You were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise when you believed in Jesus Christ. Because of the revelation of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, you have a more privileged position in the kingdom of heaven than Enoch, Abraham, Elijah, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel or John the Baptist!

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)

If this is the case, what will you do with your privileged position in the kingdom of God? Will you, like John be TOTALLY FOCUSED on the mission that Jesus has given to you? Jesus has given you his Spirit for a purpose.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me… (Acts 1:8a)

Be a great witness for Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

Rody