Category: Mercy

Serve Sacrificially for God's Kingdom Purposes

12/1/2019

“A country western song is in my head, don’t distract me.” Someone said this as I tried to engage in a conversation while sitting in a whirlpool. The Christmas season brings many distractions—e.g. endless shopping for the best gift, holiday activities, and complicated family dynamics. Are we too distracted to serve sacrificially for God’s kingdom purposes?

The world's way is to out-work, compete, cut corners and evaluate options to find the highest financial yield. Instead of hard work that’s only focused on temporal outcomes, God's way is to show concern for others’ spiritual lives, obey God without evidence, thank God when He shows mercy, and depend on indwelling Holy Spirit so we are equipped to serve sacrificially for God’s kingdom purposes.

1. Show concern for others’ spiritual lives
Better for a millstone be hung around his neck and thrown into the sea than be a stumbling block to one of these little ones. If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If your brother sins against you seven times a day and repents, forgive him (Luke 17:1-4). Show concern for others’ spiritual lives when you rebuke, forgive, and don’t judge.

2. Obey God without evidence
Having faith like a mustard seed cause a mulberry tree to obey if you said, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea.' A slave does what’s commanded even though he's not thanked by his master (Luke 17:5-10). Obey God without evidence.

3. Thank God when He shows mercy
Ten leprous men asked for mercy from Jesus as he passed between Samaria and Galilee. He told them to show themselves to the priests to be cleansed. Only one, a Samaritan, thanked Jesus. He told the foreigner that his faith healed him as he gave glory to God (Luke 17:11-19). Thank God when He shows mercy.

4. Depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit
Jesus told the Pharisees that the kingdom of God is not coming with observable signs but is within you (Luke 17:20-21). Depend on indwelling Holy Spirit without signs.

5. Serve sacrificially for God’s kingdom purposes
During the last days, people will be eating, drinking and getting married like during the days of Noah and Lot. The Son of Man will suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. When Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be the same when the Son of Man is revealed. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever keeps his life will lose it and whoever loses his life shall preserve it. There will be two men in one bed, one will be taken and other left. Where the body is, the vultures will be gathered (Luke 17:22-37). Serve sacrificially for God’s kingdom purposes.

Action Steps:
I will rate myself on a scale of 1 to 5 on the following ingredients that allow me to serve sacrificially for God’s kingdom purposes (1 being lowest and 5 highest):

Show concern for others' spiritual lives
Obey God without evidence
Thank God when He shows mercy
Depend on indwelling Holy Spirit

I will ask God to increase the lowest rated areas.

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Prepare for Reward in Heaven

6/16/2019

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I wake up and look at my phone checking emails, sports scores and news. Before I know it, I’m obsessed with my “to-do” list. My mind becomes cluttered with scheduled meetings, family obligations, errands to run, and people to call or visit. Unfortunately, this describes some days.

We grow up consumed with efficiency. We crowd many activities into a day. If we aren’t careful, it’s tempting to equate multitasking and busyness with success. Marriages break up when a spouse makes family second to work and personal accomplishments.

Our busyness not only hurts us physically, mentally, and emotionally, but also spiritually. It weakens physical health, robs the soul of peace, and prevents ministry to others. More importantly, we lose reward in heaven. Let’s look at Luke 6 for perspective and a way out of this treadmill.

1. Believe in Sabbath rest for refreshment
The Pharisees questioned why Jesus and His disciples picked and ate grain that violated he Sabbath. Jesus said when David and his companions were hungry, they ate consecrated bread reserved for priests alone. "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"
(Luke 6:1-5). God designed the Sabbath for physical and spiritual refreshment.

2. Use rest to be equipped for ministry
When Jesus healed a man to restore his withered hand, He said to the Pharisees, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?" (Luke 6:6-11). God designed the Sabbath for ministry in helping others.

3. Spend extended time with God for strategic impact
Jesus spent a whole night on the mountain praying to God. He chose twelve to be His apostles. Many disciples and people were healed of their diseases and unclean spirits (Luke 6:12-19). Spend much time in prayer for effective healing ministries.

4. Employ humble attitudes for reward in heaven
Jesus said to be poor, hungry, and weep to experience the kingdom of God, satisfaction, and laughter. People received great reward in heaven when men hated, ostracized, cast insults and spurned their name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man (Luke 6:20-26). Embrace humility, endure lack of earthly resources, and tolerate insults because of your faith to experience God’s kingdom and reward in heaven.

5. Show mercy to difficult people for reward in heaven
Love enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, and treat others the way you want to be treated for great reward in heaven as sons of the Most High. Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Don't judge or condemn, but pardon. Give and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:27-38). Show mercy and kindness to difficult people who mistreat you.

6. Speak from a God-centered heart
A blind man can't guide a blind man. Take the log out of your own eye so you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Good trees produce good fruit. Bad trees produce bad fruit. A man speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:39-45). Good speech flows from a heart reconciled to God.

7. Ground yourself in God’s word
Everyone who comes to God, hears His words, and acts upon them is like a man who builds his house upon the rock. It's able to withstand floods. The one who didn't act upon God's word is like a man whose house collapsed and suffered ruin without a foundation (Luke 6:46-49). Obey God's word to stay grounded in life’s storms.

Action Steps:
1. Set a time each day to unwind from the busyness of life. Get out of the house, take a walk, or spend time in a park away from your cell phone, computer and technology to hear God speak to you.

2. Make it daily habit so this time becomes the highlight of your day.

3. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you for ministry to others.

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Send Ambassadors Who Share God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

4/26/2013

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A key strategy in building the body of Christ is sending ambassador who share God's word internationally. Breaking the curse of sin through God's word enables people to walk in God's ways for spiritual influence. Trust God across national and denominational lines by networking ambassadors in prayerful unity. Then people can return to God by rebuilding the scattered church through His word and showing true justice and compassion to the needy.

Return to God to Rebuild Scattered Church
God spoke to Zechariah during the reign of Darius to not be like their forefathers who did not return to Him and away from their evil ways so He could return to them. The forefathers finally repented saying the Lord Almighty did what their ways and practices deserved. Three months later God spoke again to Zechariah in a vision where a man rode a red horse with red, brown and white horses behind him. The angel revealed that these were ones the Lord sent to go throughout the earth. The angel of the Lord asked how long He would withhold mercy from Jerusalem and Judah during 70 years of His anger. The angel said to proclaim that God was very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but angry with the nations that felt secure. He would return to Jerusalem with mercy, rebuild His house and stretch the measuring line so His towns would overflow with prosperity. He would again comfort and choose Jerusalem. The angel showed Zechariah four horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem. The Lord showed him four craftsmen to terrify and throw down these horns (Zech 1:1-21). Return to merciful God who rebuilds the scattered body of Christ according to His word.

Trust God Across National and Denominational Lines
He saw a man with a line to measure the dimensions of Jerusalem. Another angel said that Jerusalem would be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock. God would be wall of fire around it and its glory within. He punished those who touched His people considered as the apple of His eye. God lived among them and many nations joined with Him to become His people. All mankind were still before the Lord (Zech. 2:1-13). Trust God to work across national and denominational lines for His glory.

Walk in God's Ways for Spiritual Influence
He saw Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord and Satan at his right side accusing him. The Lord rebuked Satan because He chose Jerusalem. He asked if this man was a burning stick snatched from the fire. The angel said to those standing by Joshua to take off his filthy clothes. God said He took away his sin and put rich garments on him including a clean turban. God said if Joshua walked in His ways, then he would govern His house and have a place among those standing there. He engraved an inscription on one stone with seven eyes. He removed the sin of this land in a single day. In that day, each of them would invite his neighbor to sit under His vine and fig tree (Zech. 3:1-10). Walk in God's ways confessing your sins for spiritual influence in His kingdom.

Send Ambassadors Who Share God's Word
Zechariah saw a gold lampstand with a bowl on top with seven lights on it and two olive trees on both sides of the bowl. God's word to Zerubbabel answered, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." He said that Zerubbabel laid the foundation and completed the temple. Instead of despising the day of small things, men rejoiced when they saw the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven were the eyes of the Lord that ranged through the earth. The two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that poured golden oil represented the two who were anointed to serve the Lord (Zech. 4:1-14). Send Spirit-empowered ambassadors who share God's word to build up the body of Christ worldwide.

Break Curse of Sin Through God's Word
Zechariah saw a flying scroll representing the breaking of the curse over the whole land, which removed every thief and those who swore falsely. Sending it to every home destroyed the curse of Satan's power. He saw a measuring basket representing the iniquity of everyone. A woman inside represented wickedness. He pushed her back in the basket and the lead cover down over its mouth. Two women with wind in their wings like a stork lifted the basket before heaven and earth, took the basket to Babylon and build a house for it (Zech. 5:1-11). Break the curse of sin through the authority of God's word in every home and city.

Network Ambassadors in Prayerful Unity
Zechariah saw four chariots with four colors of horses representing the four spirits of heaven standing in the presence of the Lord before the whole world. The chariot with black horses went toward the north country, white horses to the west and multi-colored to the south, but straining to go throughout the earth. God said to take silver and gold from the exiles who arrived from Babylon and take it to Josiah who made a crown that was set on the head of Joshua the high priest. His name was Branch who branched out from this place and build the temple of God. He was clothed with majesty to sit and rule as a priest on his throne with harmony between the two. The crown was given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple. Those far away came and helped build the temple if they diligently obeyed the Lord (Zech. 6:1-15). Network ambassador in prayerful unity to build the body of Christ internationally.

Show True Justice and Compassion to Needy
Two years later God told Zechariah that the people of Bethel sent Sharezer, Regem-Melech and their men to entreat God by asking the priests and prophets whether they should mourn and fast in the fifth month like previously. Were they really fasting for God 70 years or just feasting for themselves when they ate or drank? God told Zechariah to administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another; not oppress the widow, fatherless, alien or poor; and not think evil of each other. They made their hearts as hard as flint and did not listen to God's word sent by the earlier prophets. He scattered them among all nations where they were strangers in the desolate land (Zech. 7:1-14). Show true justice, mercy and compassion to the needy.

To build the body of Christ internationally:
1. Send ambassadors who share God's word throughout the world
2. Break the curse of sin through God's word
3. Walk in God's ways for spiritual influence
4. Trust God across national and denominational lines
5. Network ambassadors in prayerful unity
6. Return to God by rebuilding the scattered church through His word
6. Show true justice and compassion to the needy

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How to Make Creation Subject to You (Insights in NT)

4/7/2013

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Because Jesus is heir of all things, Creator, radiance of God's glory, sustainer, purifier of sin, sits on God's righteous throne and defeated Satan's power of death, all of creation can be subject to you (Heb. 1-3).

You make creation subject to you by responding in faith to the gospel message, allowing God's word judge your thoughts, praying with confidence to received mercy and grace, offering prayers with tears to learn obedience,
studying God's word to learn good from evil, being diligent to help His people and waiting patiently to receive His promise.

Respond in Faith to Gospel Message
Be careful not to fall short of the promise in entering God's rest. The gospel message was of no value to Israel because they did not respond in faith. They did not enter into rest (Psalm 95:5,11). God finished His work since creating the world and resting on the seventh day. Disobedience to the gospel prevented Israel from entering His rest. David said to not harden one's heart when hearing His voice. A person who entered God's Sabbath rested from his work (Heb. 4:1-11). Respond in faith to the gospel message so you enter God's rest.

Allow God's Word Judge Your Thoughts
The word of God was living, active and sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrated to the dividing of soul and spirit to judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Everything was uncovered and laid bare before God's eyes (Heb. 4:12-13). Allow the living and active word of God judge your thoughts.

Pray in Confidence to Receive Grace
Hold firmly to faith because of Jesus, the Son of God. As the high priest, He sympathized with weaknesses since He was tempted in every way like humankind, except without sin. Approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). Pray with confidence to receive grace in time of need since He was tempted like you without sin.

Offer Prayers with Tears to Learn Obedience
High priests offered sacrifices for sins and dealt gently with the ignorant and those who went astray. Jesus was a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. On earth, Jesus offered up prayers with tears to God who could save Him from death and was heard because of His reverent submission. Jesus learned obedience from what He suffered and once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obeyed Him (Heb. 5:1-10). Offer prayers with tears to learn obedience from suffering and receive eternal salvation.

Study God's Word to Learn Good from Evil
They needed someone to teach them milk or the elementary truths of God's word, not solid food, because they were slow to learn. Those who lived on milk as an infant were not acquainted with righteousness. Solid food was for the mature who trained themselves constantly to distinguish good from evil. They were to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and pursue maturity, not laying the foundation of repentance from acts that led to death, faith in God, instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (Heb. 5:11-6:3). Study God's word to learn good from evil.

Be Diligent to Help God's People
It was impossible for those who once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift, Holy Spirit, goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance because they subject Him to public disgrace. Land that produced thorns and thistles was worthless, in danger of being cursed and burned. The author was confident of things that accompanied salvation. God was not unjust and did not forget their work and love shown Him as they continued to help His people. The author wanted them to always be diligent, make their hope sure and imitate those who through faith and patience inherited what had been promised (Heb. 6:4-12). Be diligent to help God's people in demonstrating faith.

Wait Patiently to Receive God's Promise
After God promised Abraham descendants and blessings, he waited patiently to receive it. God confirmed His promise with an oath to make it unchangeable. This hope was the anchor of their souls, firm and secure. Jesus went behind the curtain and entered the inner sanctuary to go before them. He became the high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 6:13-20). Wait patiently to receive God's promise as the firm anchor of your soul.

Which of the following will you apply to make creation subject to you:
1. Respond in faith to the gospel message
2. Allow God's word judge your thoughts
3. Pray with confidence to received mercy and grace
4. Offer prayers with tears to learn obedience
5. Study God's word to learn good from evil
6. Be diligent to help His people
7. Wait patiently to receive His promise

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Fear of God Outshines Everything (Insights in Psalms)

11/1/2012

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"I have an unquenchable desire to slow down and find my life going deeper in my walk with Christ. I want to meet him in the depths of my soul, away from the stress and press of everything on top. A relationship with Christ is the key to fulfilling our deepest longings. All of life is about filling the void that sin and separation from him have created within. Filling the emptiness with piles of things, earthly friendships, satisfying experiences, and sensual encounters ultimately proves to achieve less than what we had hoped for. Christ is the only one who fits" (Joseph M. Stowell).

Job found that God outshines anything else. In Job 28-31, he wrote that the fear of the Lord outshines earthly riches, pleasant circumstances, opinions of other people, lusting after women, injustice against the poor, ungenerosity and merciless.

Earthly Riches
Job said that man searched the deep for metal ore far away from people. He tunneled through the rock to sell all its treasures and bring hidden things to light. Man did not comprehend the worth of wisdom and understanding. It was not found in the deep and cannot be bought with gold or precious stones. The price of wisdom was beyond rubies. Only God knew where it dwelt because He saw everything under the heavens, established the force of the wind and measured out the waters. He appraised, confirmed and tested wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding (Job 28:1-28). The fear of the Lord outshines earthly riches.

Pleasant Circumstances
Job longed for the days when the blessings of intimate fellowship blessed him and his children. His path was drenched with cream and the rock poured streams of olive oil. Leaders and young men respected his counsel and spoke well of him because he rescued the poor and was a father to the needy. Job thought he would die in his own house and glory would remain fresh on him (Job 29:1-25). The fear of Lord outshines pleasant circumstances.

Opinions of Other People
Men younger than Job mocked him even though he disdained their fathers who little strength and influence. Their sons spat in Job's face, laid snares for his feet and destroyed him. Job's dignity was driven away as by the wind and his safety vanished like a cloud. God reduced him to dust and did not answer his prayers. Job wept for those in trouble and grieved for the poor. When Job hoped for good, evil came. The suffering, churning inside and loneliness never stopped (Job 30:1-31). The fear of the Lord outshines opinions of other people.

Lusting After Women
Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a girl since God saw his ways. God weighed him with honest scales to determine if he walked in falsehood and deceit. If his eyes led his heart or his hands were defiled, then others could eat what he sown. If his heart was enticed by a woman, then his wife could sleep with other men. Sin must be judged by fire that burned to Destruction to uproot his harvest (Job 31:1-12). The fear of the Lord outshines lusting
after women.

Injustice Against the Poor
God made Job accountable for injustice toward his menservants and maidservants if they had a grievance against him. If he denied the desires of the poor, kept bread or clothing to himself and failed to use his influence in court for the benefit of the fatherless, then he deserved having his arm broken off at the joint. The fear of the Lord prevented Job from acting unjustly (Job 31:13-23). The fear of the Lord outshines injustice against the poor.

Ungenerosity and Merciless
If Job put his security in gold, rejoiced over great wealth and worshiped the sun or moon, then God would judge his sin as being unfaithful to Him. If he rejoiced over his enemy's misfortune, not offered hospitality to strangers and concealed guilt in his heart because of fearing the crowd, then God would judge his sin. Job wished an accuser would put his indictment in writing before God to make him accountable. If he withheld payment to tenants in the fields, then briers and weeds instead of wheat and barley should grow (Job 31:24-40). The fear of the Lord outshines ungenerosity and merciless.

How can you apply Augustine's statement, "To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; To seek Him, the greatest adventure; To find him, the greatest human achievement" regarding how the fear of God outshines things listed in this passage?

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How to Have a Life-Changing Ministry (Insights in Law)

10/7/2012

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"We are locked in a battle. This is not a friendly, gentleman's discussion. It is a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ" (Francis A. Schaeffer).

God loves, redeems, blesses, fights and provides before He humbles so you do not take personal credit and forget Him. God destroys spiritual enemies so you can take possession of your kingdom mission. God shows mercy and saves unrighteous people if leaders pray fervently, demolish idolatry and claim promises for His glory. God makes it possible to have life-changing kingdom ministry.

God Loves and Redeems
Israel must totally destroy seven larger and stronger nations that they defeated after the Lord delivered them. Do not make a covenant, show favor or intermarry so their sons would not serve other gods and be destroyed. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones pillars, cut down their Asherim and burn their idols for the Lord had chosen them as a holy and treasured possession out of all the peoples on the earth. The Lord set His affection and redeemed them from the land of slavery in Egypt. God was faithful and kept His covenant to a thousand obedient generations but destroyed those who hated Him (Deut. 7:1-11). God loves and redeems in experiencing freedom and favor as you obey Him.

God Blesses
By listening and doing His laws, God loved, increased their numbers, blessed them materially and prevented harmful diseases of Egypt that their enemies experienced. Destroy everyone God delivered since serving their gods or looking on the people with pity would become a snare (Deut. 7:12-16). God blesses your descendants, finances and health by obeying Him.

God Fights
Do not say in your heart that these nations were too great to be dispossessed. Do not fear but remember what God did to Pharaoh, the great trials you saw and the signs and wonders the Lord did to bring you out of Egypt. He would do something similar to those you fear. The Lord would send the hornet against them until they died. Do not dread them for God is great and awesome. He drove away these nations before you little by little lest wild beasts grew too numerous. The Lord delivered and threw them into great confusion until they were destroyed. He delivered their kings into your hand so you would make their name perish. No man would be able to stand before you until they were destroyed. Burn the graven images and do not covet their silver and gold lest you be ensnared. Bringing an abomination into your house would destroy you (Deut. 7:17-26). God fights gradually to destroy spiritual enemies if you don't covet money.

God Provides
Be careful to follow God’s commands so you live, multiply and possess the promised land. Remember how the Lord led you 40 years in the wilderness to humble and test your heart to determine whether you would keep His commandments. He humbled, caused hunger and fed you with manna to teach that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the Lord’s mouth. Your clothes did not wear out or you feet swell for 40 years. Know in your heart that the Lord disciplined you as a man disciplined his son. Observe His commands since the Lord brought you into a good land with streams, flowing springs, wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil, honey, abundant bread, iron and copper. Praise the Lord for the good land He gave you (Deut. 8:1-10). God provides every need if you obey His word and praise His name.

God Humbles
Beware lest you disobey His commandments and build fine houses with increased herds and money causing a proud heart so you forget God. He brought you out of slavery and led you through the terrible wilderness with fiery serpents and no water. He gave manna to eat in the desert to humble and to test so it might go well with you. Remember that God gave you the ability to produce wealth in confirming His covenant if tempted to say your power and strength produced this wealth. God would destroy you like previous nations if you forget God by following and worshiping other gods (Deut. 8:11-20). God humbles so you don’t forget His power to create wealth and ability to live without a scarcity mindset.

God Destroys
Israel crossed over the Jordan to dispossess nations greater and mightier than them with great and tall people, the sons of Anakim. The Lord went ahead of Israel as a consuming fire to destroy Anakim so they could drive them out and destroy them quickly. Do not say that personal righteousness caused the Lord to bring them in to possess the land but it was because of these nations' wickedness (Deut. 9:1-6). God destroys spiritual enemies so you can drive them out and take possession of your kingdom mission.

God Shows Mercy
Israel provoked the Lord to wrath due to their rebellion in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Moses received the tablets of the covenant from the Lord. He remained on the mountain 40 days and nights not eating bread and drinking water. The Lord gave him me two tablets of stone written by the finger of God. The Lord told Moses to go down because the people became corrupt and made a cast idol. The Lord wanted to blot out the stiff-necked people and make a nation stronger and greater than they. Moses feared the Lord’s anger to destroy Israel and Aaron but the Lord listened as he prayed for Aaron while burning and crushing the golden calf (Deut. 9:7-21). God shows mercy to unrighteous people if godly leaders pray and demolish idolatry.

God Saves
Israel made the Lord angry at Taberah, Massah and Kibroth-hattaavah. When the Lord sent them out from Kadesh-barnea, they rebelled by not trusting Him to take the land He gave them. Moses laid prostate before the Lord 40 days and prayed that He would not destroy Israel, His inheritance, whom God redeemed through His greatness and brought out of Egypt. He asked God to remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and overlook their stubbornness and sin so Egypt would not say God hated them because He put them to death in the desert (Deut. 9:22-29). God saves unrighteous people if leaders pray fervently and claim promises for His glory.

Praise God for His love, redemption, blessings, fighting on your behalf and provision. Humble yourself before God as you do not deserve these benefits. Praise God that He destroys spiritual enemies so you can take possession of your kingdom mission. Pray fervently, demolish idolatry and claim promises for unbelievers so they can know God personally.

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God's Operation of Grace in Salvation and Evangelism (Insights in NT)

8/30/2012

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"If the church would only awaken to her responsibility of intercession, we could well evangelize the world in a short time. It is not God's plan that the world be merely evangelized ultimately. It should be evangelized in every generation. There should be a constant gospel witness in every corner of the world so that no sinner need close his eyes in death without hearing the gospel, the good news of salvation through Christ" (T. S. Hegre).

Apostle Paul had this kind of heart for Israel and explained God's operation of grace in salvation and evangelism.

God Chooses His Children Based on Grace, Not Works
Paul had great sorrow in his heart for Israel who were cut off from Christ even though they received divine glory, covenants, law, temple worship, the promises and patriarchs that traced Christ's lineage. Natural children were not descended from Israel or regarded as Abraham's children, but children of the promise became God's children. The word of promise states a specific time for Sarah to have a son and Rebekah conceiving twins through Isaac. Before the twins had done anything good or bad so God's purpose and choice might stand, not because of works but because of His calling, Scripture said, "The older will serve the younger." It was written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Rom. 9:1-13). God chooses who becomes His children based on grace according to His purpose, not based upon works.

God Shows Mercy to Display His Power and Proclaim His Name in the World
God is not unjust and said to Moses that He would have mercy and compassion on whom He desired, not dependent on man's desire or effort. Moses as revealed in Scripture said to Pharaoh that God raised him up to display His power so His name would be proclaimed in all the earth. God shows mercy and hardens whom He desires (Rom. 9:14-18). God shows mercy and hardens whom He desires to display His power and proclaim His name in the world.

God Prepares Objects of Mercy As Sons to Experience His Rich Glory
Why does God still cast blame since no one can resist His will? The reason is that no one can talk back to God. He made us like a potter with one vessel for noble purposes and others for common use. God demonstrated His wrath and made His power known by enduring patiently with objects of wrath prepared for destruction. Then the riches of His glory could be made known to objects of His mercy prepared in advance for glory like us whom He called from among the Jews and Gentiles. In Hosea He called those "who were not My people, My people, and her who was not beloved, 'beloved."' Those not His people would be called the sons of the living God. Isaiah said only the remnant would be saved among the vast number of Israelites. The Lord would execute His word thoroughly and quickly upon the earth so we would not be like Sodom and Gomorrah (Rom. 9:19-29). God prepares objects of mercy as sons to experience rich glory and objects of wrath to experience destruction.

People Attain Righteousness without Shame by Believing in Christ
Gentiles attained righteousness through faith even though they did not pursue it. Israel pursued a law of righteousness by works but did not attain it. They stumbled over Christ, the stumbling stone, which causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. He who believes in Him will be unashamed (Rom. 9:30-33). People attain righteousness without shame by believing in Christ.

People Experience Lordship of Christ and Freedom from Law by Calling upon the Lord
Paul prayed earnestly for Israel's salvation realizing their zeal for God without knowledge. They tried to establish their own righteousness without submitting to God's righteousness. Christ ends the law so everyone who believes may have righteousness. He who practices righteousness by the law lives by that righteousness. Obtaining righteousness by faith means the word is in your mouth and heart, namely the word of faith we proclaimed. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. You are justified by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth so you can be saved. Anyone who believes in Him will be unashamed. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. To call upon the Lord, you must first believe. To believe, you must hear. To hear, you must have someone preaching the word to you. Someone must send the preacher as Isaiah says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Rom. 10:1-15). People experience the Lordship of Christ and freedom from the law by believing and calling upon the name of the Lord.

God Sends His Word to the Whole World so People Hear and Believe Christ
Not all the Israelites believed the good news. Faith comes from hearing the message of God's word. The word went out to the whole world so no one could say they had not heard. Moses said Israel would be made jealous by a nation without understanding. Isaiah said those who did not seek Christ found Him and God revealed Himself to those who did not ask for Him. He told Israel that He was available to a disobedient and obstinate people (Rom. 10:16-21). God sends His word to the whole world so people can hear and believe in Christ.

Review the following truths on God's operation of grace in salvation and evangelism from Rom. 9-10:

1. God chooses you to be His child, not based upon works

2. God shows mercy to display His power and proclamation

3. God prepares objects of mercy as sons to experience the riches of His glory

4. People attain righteousness without shame by believing in Christ

5. People experience the Lordship of Christ and freedom from the law by believing and calling upon the name of the Lord

6. God sends His word to the whole world so people can hear and believe in Christ

How do these truths encourage you? What difference do they make in understanding grace versus works? How do they affect your attitude about evangelism?

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God's Mercy and Judgment Demonstrated (Insights in Prophets)

5/31/2012

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"What gives us conviction of sin is not the number of sins we have committed; it is the sight of the holiness of God." (Martyn Lloyd-Jones). In the midst of sin, we see God's mercy, which triumphs over judgment. God's holiness demands that He deal with sin. God's fulfills His promises and multiplies His people because of His love.

Elisha predicted that flour and two measures of barley would be sold for a shekel each in the gate of Samaria. An officer wondered if the Lord could open the windows of heaven, but Elisha said he would not eat of it. Four leprous men figured they would die of famine. They entered the camp of Arameans, but the Lord caused them to flee because of hearing a large army attacking them.The lepers entered their tents, ate food and hid silver, gold and clothes they found (2 Kings 7:1-8). God promises to provide for you miraculously in famine.

The lepers told the king and he figured the Arameans would attack and capture Israel once they left the city. The king took two chariots with horses to go after the army of the Arameans, but found they had thrown clothes and equipment in their haste so they plundered the camp. Flour and barley was sold for the price predicted according to the word of the Lord. The officer was trampled at the gate and died just as Elisha predicted (2 Kings 7:9-20). God fulfills His promises in famine.

Elisha told the woman whose son he restored to life to leave since the Lord called for famine. After seven years, she left the land of the Philistines and appealed for her house and field. When the king met the son restored to life by Elisha, he gave the property back to the woman. Ben-hadad king of Aram sent Hazael to ask Elisha if he would recover from his sickness. Elisha told Hazael that Ben-hadad would die and with weeping, predicted Hazael would kill men, women and children after he became king. Ben-hadad died and Hazael became king (2 Kings 8:7-15). God's sovereignty changes the hearts of authorities to respond and accomplish His purposes.

Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, became king and did evil like Ahab. The Lord did not destroy Judah because He promised to give descendants through David. Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram king of Judah, next reigned and he walked in evil like Ahab (2 Kings 8:16-29). God's mercy and compassion triumph over sin so His people can be multiplied.

Elisha told one of the prophets to pour oil on Jehu son of Jehoshaphat to anoint as king over Israel. The prophet declared that Jehu would destroy the house of Ahab to avenge the blood of the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. Dogs would devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel and no one would bury her (2 Kings 9:1-13). God chooses and equips people to fulfill His will.

Jehu questioned Joram, "How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?" Jehu shot his arrow to kill Joram whose body was thrown on the field belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. Jehu wounded Ahaziah king of Judah who died later (2 Kings 9:14-29). God's holiness demands that idolatry and witchcraft be judged.

Eunuchs threw Jezebel down from the window and nothing was left to bury in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah, "On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel's flesh. Jezebel's body will be like refuse on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, 'This is Jezebel'" (2 Kings 9:30-37). God fulfills His prophecies of judgment according to His word.

Where do you see God's mercy and compassion in your life? Praise Him for His mercy and compassion. Where is God judging you for your sin? Confess and forsake your sin.

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Beyond Hypocrisy (insights in New Testament)

10/10/2010

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A major reason why people say they don't want to be Christians is the hypocritical nature of people in the church. Corrupt preachers and perverted priests only make the problem worse. During most of my first year in college, I wanted nothing to do with the church because of hypocrisy I saw portrayed.

The definition of a hypocrite is to say one thing, but do the opposite. A hypocrite is righteous on the outside but lawless and full of self-indulgence on the inside (Matt. 23:3,25-28).

The action of a hypocrite involves emphasizing do's and don'ts along with human traditions instead of a personal relationship with God. The outcome is a self-serving, oppressive atmosphere (Matt. 23:4).

The attitude of a hypocrite is pride resulting in doing deeds to be noticed by men while loving honor and position (Matt. 23:5-10). The outcome robs God of His proper glory.

In contrast, He honors servanthood and exalts humility (Matt. 23:11-12).

According to Matthew 23:23-24, servanthood and humility looks like as “justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Living without these three qualities causes church splits, establishment of many denominations, fragmentation and disunity in the body of Christ so people without Christ walk past us because we don't reflect His character.

Justice refers to righteous deeds. Mercy denotes a loving attitude toward one’s neighbor. Faithfulness is a sincere and intimate relationship to God. We are called to meet the diverse needs of those outside the church, especially the poor, since we can’t separate knowing God from social responsibility. What’s at stake? The eternal destiny of lost people! (Matt. 23:37-39)

How will you show justice, mercy or faithfulness this week?

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Serve Sacrificially for God's Kingdom Purposes

Prepare for Reward in Heaven

Send Ambassadors Who Share God's Word (Insights in Prophets)

How to Make Creation Subject to You (Insights in NT)

Fear of God Outshines Everything (Insights in Psalms)

How to Have a Life-Changing Ministry (Insights in Law)

God's Operation of Grace in Salvation and Evangelism (Insights in NT)

God's Mercy and Judgment Demonstrated (Insights in Prophets)

Beyond Hypocrisy (insights in New Testament)

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