Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to avoid the example of ancient Israel.

I Corinthians 10:5-6 [the apostle Paul wrote] Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.  (NASB)

The is a deadly mind-set that says: “if I sin and nobody knows about it” it’s no big deal!  Sin is a big deal and has devastating consequences.  For the Christ-follower, our lives should reflect a 180 degree change of direction away from sin — following hard after the ways of Jesus!  It’s an old-fashioned concept called “repentance”.

The nation of Israel had been delivered from hopeless, grinding slavery when God sent Moses to deliver them.  Instead of being properly thankful, the people lusted after the food of Egypt and murmured against God.  So, He sent a plague to punish the people.  Today, determine you will not be like faithless Israel giving into the temptation to lust for what you don’t have — count your blessings and trust the leading of God!

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Tuesday, October 19, 2021
The apostle Paul wrote encouragement to the persecuted Thessalonian church.

I Thessalonians 1:6-7 [the apostle Paul wrote] You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers . . . (NASB)

Bible teacher Chip Ingram has a mission statement that declares he seeks to help “Christians to live like Christians.” That’s the purpose of all who name the Name of Christ . . .If Christianity in the 21st century is to have the same world changing influence it had in the 1st century, it will be because of Christ’s transforming power lived out in the lives of His followers!

The Christ-followers in this important seaport city of ancient Greece were suffering the persecution of Rome – and yet amid the pain and trial they discovered as they remained true to their faith – they were filled with Heaven-sent joy! Because of the testimony of one church in Thessalonica – others heard about it and began responding in the same way. Never underestimate the culture changing power of one church . . . or one life in Christ!

Monday, October 18, 2021

Monday, October 18, 2021
The apostle John shares the Savior’s example of greatness to the disciples.

John 13:14-15 [Jesus said] If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (NASB)

A spirit of humility is not a default response for the Christ-follower! When you’re frustrated with someone, it’s far easier to give them a hard time about it. Christ asks you to take a step back and respond with His example: be meek and lowly of heart.

After 3 ½ years of pouring His life and teachings into these “uncommonly common” disciples — within hours Christ would hang on a cross – yet the disciples had been arguing about who would be “greatest” in the kingdom of Heaven! Jesus said the greatest must be servant of all – and then He demonstrated greatness by a humble act of servant-leadership.

Friday, October 15, 2021

Friday, October 15, 2021
The prophet Isaiah pronounces God’s woe on those who pervert justice.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil . . . (KJV)
Bible teacher David Jeremiah said the Bible speaks of a time when the culture would call evil good. He then said, “That time is now!” We live in a world that says, “be tolerant and inclusive” and yet that tolerance and inclusiveness ends where the Word of God and Christianity begins. People are arrested, and justly so, for animal cruelty — yet the law allows a child to be brutally cut apart and murdered just prior to birth — woe to those who call evil good and good evil!
There has been a gradual, almost imperceptible shift in what is morally acceptable. Humanity’s standard for what is right and true has been flipped upside down! Billy Graham once said, “another way that evil is called good is for the conscience to be perverted, and certainly our consciences today are perverted. But right is right even if nobody is right, and wrong is wrong even if everybody is wrong. God will not change the moral law to suit our behavior.”

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Thursday, October 14, 2021
The apostle Paul writes of the obligation of Christ-followers to do good.
Galations 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (NASB)
The concept of Christ-like goodness is profound and fundamental to our service as believers! This verse is radical in its implications. When an opportunity to do good occurs our responsibility is to do it whether anyone ever knows it or not. The Puritan father Cotton Mather wrote, “The opportunity to do good imposes the obligation to do it.”
The scope of this “doing good” is not limited to our neighbor or family members; it is for all people. Is there a missionary in need of support in some far-off country? Is there a village in some country in need of clean water? These are opportunities, we cannot meet every need, but we are called upon to do what we can — and especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Wednesday, October 13, 2021
The apostle Paul writes that Christ-followers are to hate evil and be known for upholding good.

Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. (NASB)
There is nothing more repellent than false love! A Christ-follower is to be identified by the genuine, sacrificial love for others that comes from above. However, a love that is all sweetness and never rejects wrong actions — especially malicious evil and blatant unkindness — that is no love!
Part of being salt and light in a sinful world is abhorring evil whether it’s politically correct or not! Christ-followers must never hate the sinner but hate the sin. Conversely, the Church must cling or be super-glued to that which is good. Albert Barnes wrote, “The good here . . . is particularly what pertains to benevolence — to all people, and especially to Christians. It should not be occasional . . . or irregular, but it should be constant, active.”