Living By The Word

  Christ Alone Atones for Sin ( May 31, 2023) “ Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the  Lord ; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” (Exodus 32:30) (NKJV) This verse from the Book of Exodus is one of many Old Testament examples that foreshadow the coming of Jesus Christ as God incarnate to save a world lost and dying in sin. To put this statement into its biblical context, Moses had just come down from Mount Sinai with two tablets containing the Ten Commandments written by the hand of God. The tablets were broken when Moses became angered that, in his absence, the Israelites had violated the first two of these commandments by practicing idolatry, worshiping a gold calf crafted by his brother Aaron, the high priest, at the people’s request. Moses asked all that were on the LORD’ s side to come to him, but only the Levites, the priestly tribe, stepped forward, slaying about 3,000 of their r

Obedience Glorifies God ( May 30, 2023) “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:17) God promises to bless those who humbly seek to do His will, to live by the truth of His Word, and to follow the narrow way that leads to an eternal home in heaven. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary for our sins and are saved by God’s grace, we become new creations filled with the Holy Spirit who seals our salvation and guides us to follow Christ’s example of obedience to His heavenly Father. Our hearts and minds are slowly transformed and we are ultimately changed by the power of God into the likeness of His beloved Son. Our selfish human attitudes and behaviors are gradually aligned with God’s sovereign will and we no longer desire to follow worldly moral, social, and cultural values but seek to live in obedience to God’s standards.  “ But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in a

  As I reflect on our American heritage this Memorial Day, I thank God for the many courageous soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives so that we could live in the home of the brave and the land of the free, the United States of America! In their memory, let us pray that our great nation will return to her roots as “one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” God bless America!  

  The Perfect Gifts ( May 26, 2023)  “ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Christians should rejoice and be thankful daily that our Father in Heaven is the divine source of every good and perfect gift we receive! In fact, God the Father has richly blessed each of us as saints, sinners saved by grace, with the most perfect gifts we will ever receive—His Son and His Spirit! Our heavenly Father has freely given us His best because of His boundless love for us! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, God has extended to all believers the unmerited favor of His grace and the undeserved reward of everlasting life. The most glorious gift ever bestowed, Jesus gave His life to bear the burden of our sins and clo

  The Everlasting Beauty of God ( May 25, 2023)   "In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it: and His hands formed the dry land.” (Psalm 95:4-5)   From the towering mountain peaks to the churning depths of the seas, Almighty God’s magnificent creations are natural testimonies of His existence and His love for each beholder!   “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” (Psalm 90:2)   Most wonderful of all, He is my God, my Creator, my Sustainer, and my Redeemer. His creations are stunningly in their beauty, but His most wonderful work is that before the foundation of the world was laid, He graciously provided the one way to salvation and everlasting life through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. For this greatest of gifts, I am eternally grateful!   “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who

Salvation Is Faith-based, Not By Works ( May 24, 2023) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through  the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…” (Titus 3:5).   Before His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension Jesus warned His disciples that one of the signs pointing to His Second Coming will be the proliferation of false teachings aimed at deceiving mankind and leading him astray. One of the most dangerous and potentially destructive of these false doctrines today is the lie that we can get to heaven by doing good deeds. That myth is absolutely contradicted by God’s Word which clearly teaches that salvation and eternal life are gifts offered by the grace of God the Father exclusively through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer. “But the salvation of the righteous  is from the  Lord…” (Psalm 37:39). We are all sinful by nature and deserve deat

  Shine Christ’s Light ( May 23, 2023) “ This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. ” (1 John 1:5) Despite the serious risks associated with getting too much sun, the benefits of exposure to natural light to our physical health are well-known. Light can also significantly impact our mental well-being. We’ve all noticed that when the weather is nice and sunny, we tend to be more cheerful, optimistic, and energetic. On the other hand, a gloomy melancholy seems to come over us when we encounter a string of rainy days that seem to induce sleepiness and a depressed state of mind. Amazingly, our moods can rise and fall depending on the amount of light around us. Just as light significantly impacts us physically and emotionally, its brilliance is vitally important to our spirituality as well. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,  “I am the light of the world. He who   follows Me shall not walk in darkness,

  A Relationship with Our Redeemer ( May 22, 2023) “ It is   not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him. ” (Genesis 2:18) Life is all about human relationships, the varied ways—from casual to formal—that we are connected or bonded to other people. We are social creatures who need each other! We all require love, encouragement, fellowship, and the multitude of other benefits that interpersonal relations afford. In fact, our relationships with others help to mold and shape how we view ourselves in relation to the world around us. Attesting to the importance of relationships is an abundance of evidence that when people are isolated from social interaction for extended periods—such as many experienced during the pandemic—they sometimes suffer detrimental emotional and psychological effects. Human relationships, the conglomeration of which is the essence of a society, help to define who we are as individuals and as members of people groups. This t

  Our Heavenly Hero ( May 19, 2023) Jesus said, “ For   I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ”   (John 13:15) In these troubled times, there are countless unsung heroes who put their lives on the line every day, working behind the scenes to protect our health, defend our freedoms, and keep us safe. But have you noticed that in today’s ungodly culture at large, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find in the public realm high-profile God-fearing individuals after whom we can pattern Christian lives? I recall that growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s there were many admirable people in all walks of life who set godly examples for young, impressionable, and developing minds. However, in a morally decadent society that is rapidly turning away from God and denying the truth of His Word, sadly, it seems that today there are far too few athletes, entertainers, politicians, and high-profile individuals from other walks of life whose lifestyles are abov

  The Wisdom Is in the Word ( May 18, 2023) “ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom… ” (Colossians 3:16). Increasingly people are being attracted to the simpler way of life afforded by rustic, pastoral settings, away from the noise, traffic, and congestion that plague urban areas. Many locals and visitors alike enjoy the small-town atmosphere and slower pace of country life. Even so, today’s incredibly complex world is far from simple, even in rural America. As Christians seeking to walk in the center of God’s will, we need divine wisdom and discernment in order to make sound decisions and live Christ-centered lifestyles in a wayward world where evil abounds.   When Solomon succeeded his father David as king of ancient Israel, the young, inexperienced ruler of a great nation admitted that he needed providential guidance to rule God’s chosen people effectively. Offered anything he wanted by the L ORD , Solomon asked—not for riches, long life, or other selfish d

  Ministers for the Messiah ( May 17, 2023) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ..and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:13-14)   Only a few Christians are called to be pastors, but we have all been commissioned as ministers to mankind by Jesus Christ, our Savior. It takes courage and commitment, but every believer has been commanded to minister in trusting obedience to the physical and spiritual needs of other people through humble service to humanity. Our multi-faceted personal ministries for Christ should include, as we are able and have the opportunity, selfless acts of kindness and compassion; generous giving of our time, skills, and resources; and fervent intercessory prayer. One of the most important parts of our ministry as Jesus’ earthly ambassadors is evangelism—sharing God’s love and spreading the gospel of salvation that is freely offered to everyone through th

  Withhold Criticism and Judgement ( May 16, 2023) “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1) As flawed human beings, me being chief among them, we tend to be critical of one another and quick to judge the very people we have been called to unconditionally love and freely forgive. As Christian witnesses and ambassadors for Christ, we damage our personal testimony when we hypocritically criticize and judge others for the same imperfections that exist in our own lives. Before lashing out at others, we should evaluate the purity of our own hearts. We have all been created in God’s image; therefore, godly qualities have been instilled in everyone. Instead of looking for the good in other people, however, we readily point out their mistakes, failures, and transgressions against us and seek to inflict vengeance that belongs exclusively to God. We must

  A Still Small Voice (May 15, 2023) “But the  Lord  is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”  (Habakkuk 2:20) It has become increasingly difficult to find peace and quiet in a world polluted by the noise and clamor of 21 st -century life. Blaring music, honking horns, blasting sirens, riotous confrontations, blatant political rhetoric, babbling gossip, harsh language, and piercing alarms are among the myriad of noisy distractions that are common in the rush of today’s fast-paced, bustling world. The deafening, decibel-soaring roar that is commonly heard in many football stadiums or other sports venues is an appropriate way for a massive crowd of avid fans to inspire the home team, but it is not conducive to seeking God and discovering His will which is essential in our daily walk of faith as Christians. “And after the earthquake a fire, but the  Lord  was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12) In the midst of this c

  A Mother’s Love ( May 12, 2023) “ For her worth is far above rubies. ” (Proverbs 31:10) Love is the most powerful force in this vast universe and the very nature of the awe-inspiring God Who magnificently created it. Exceeded only by God’s matchless affection for us, the love of a mother is a priceless treasure. Tried, tested, tender, and true, a mother’s love is one of God’s greatest gifts. This Sunday affords a special opportunity for each of us to express heartfelt appreciation to our mothers for the godly blessing of her love or honor the memory of those mothers, including my dearly-departed mom, Willie Mae Ray, who, in the glorious presence of Jesus in heaven, now await joyful reunions with their Christian family members.   One of America’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln said: “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” In many ways, mothers are like angels sent by God to provide the loving nurture, protection, and training that lay solid foundation

  The Fountain of Living Water ( May 11, 2023)   “I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of water of life freely to him who thirsts.” (Revelation 21:6)   In pursuit of physical gratification, many people thirst for the waters of this world (possessions, pleasures, and power) that soon evaporate, leaving them empty and thirsting for more. Jesus Christ is the fountain of living spiritual water that never runs dry and satisfies eternally. Our Savior invites us to refresh our souls with this living water. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He is who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38) Therefore, let us s joyfully “draw from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3) “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to everlasting life.” (J

  Be Found Faithful ( May 10, 2023) “ Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. ” ( 1 Corinthians 4:2) Some folks are resourceful, using their time, talents, and finances wisely, while others tend to be wasteful, squandering the assets with which a loving God has blessed them. Having been called by Jesus Christ to love and serve our neighbors and proclaim the truth of God’s Word to the world, Christians must be good stewards of God’s gifts. That means using our divinely-derived resources to serve God’s purposes, not our own self-interests, and to bless others, not ourselves. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus relates to his disciples the Parable of the Talents, a story that likens the Kingdom of God to a master who, before embarking upon a long trip, entrusts his goods to his three servants, giving each differing amounts of money or talents. Upon his return, this lord evaluates the stewardship of his servants according to how faithful they have been t

 Freely Forgive ( May 9, 2023) “ For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ” (Matthew 6:14) In order to please God and pursue a lifestyle befitting His children, Christians must readily forgive those who have wronged us. We cannot expect God to forgive us of our sins if we are unwilling to pardon others who have trespassed against us. Believers are directed to go about, to quote Colossians 3:13, “ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also  must do . ” Modeling the ultimate example of forgiveness, Jesus cried out from the Cross for God to show compassion to those who brutally crucified Him, saying, “ Father,   forgive them, for   they do not know what they do. ” (Luke 23:34) A few years later Stephen, the first Christian martyr, echoed Jesus’s prayerful plea as he was being stoned to death.  Acts 7:60 says that Stephen “ knelt down and cried o

  Rest Your Burdens at the Cross ( May 8, 2023)   “ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ” (Psalm 46:1)   Life is a rich blessing from God, but, as we all well know, it can be burdensome. There are many contributors to the loads we bear daily. As much as we love them, our families and friends can place some rather weighty burdens upon us, as well as demands upon our time. Adding to the encumbrances of life are obligations imposed by our work schedules; schooling; church, civic, and social commitments; and the variety of hardships and trials that weigh upon us physically, mentally, and spiritually. A great self-imposed burden is the baggage we often lug around from the past, refusing to let go of feelings of guilt for sins of which God has already forgiven us.   Thankfully, we don’t have to bear the burdens of life on our own frail shoulders. Jesus invites all who welcome Him into their hearts by faith to draw upon His divine strength. Our Savior calls