Living By The Word

  The Cross—a Symbol of Suffering, Service, and Salvation ( March 29, 2024) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) Representing the hope of everlasting life that is offered to all who trust in Jesus Christ, the cross is the most prominent symbol of Easter and Christianity. First, the Cross of Christ is a symbol of our Savior’s suffering. We cannot comprehend the excruciating pain and shame that Jesus endured at Calvary for you and me. He was brutally beaten, whipped, spat upon, scourged, insulted, mocked, and disfigured. Our LORD’s body was pierced for our sake—a crown of thorns was thrust into His head, penetrating flesh to the skull, and iron spikes nailed Him and our sins to that tree, causing Christ unbearable agony. Jesus’ suffering on an old wooden cross was unspeakable. But He did it for us. He did it out of love for you and me! “ But He...

  The Empty Tomb ( March 28, 2024) “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.   But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.   Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:1-3) Reflecting on the true meaning of Easter on this Maundy Thursday, one of the symbols of this holy season that I most cherish is the empty tomb from which our L ORD Jesus Christ emerged victoriously on the third day following His brutal crucifixion. Having toured the Holy Land a decade ago, I visited the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, considered to be the traditional site of Christ’s burial and resurrection. I could not help but imagine the joy and excitement of the women who, according to all four of the gospels, discovered that the risen L ORD had defeated death on that first Easter Sunday morning. The Cross...

  Paid in Full! ( March 26, 2024) So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30) After dining at a New York City restaurant in 1949, American businessman Frank McNamara discovered that he had forgotten his wallet. Fortunately, his wife picked up the tab, but the frustrated McNamara resolved that he would never face such an embarrassing situation again. In February of 1950, McNamara dined at the same restaurant and paid the bill with a small cardboard card that became known as the Diners Club Card. Widely viewed as the first credit card, McNamara’s invention paved the way for the multipurpose charge card we use so often today. The flashing of plastic credit cards by consumers has become an American way of life. Just as many consumers are overburdened by excessive credit card balances, we are all born mired in debt spiritually as a result of our sinful nature. To ignore our sins would violate the ve...

  The Living Hope of Easter (March 25, 2024) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection, and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) Gracing springtime landscapes with their rare beauty for just a short time, tulips remind me of the brevity of our earthly lives. These lovely flowers also remind me of Easter and the certain hope of everlasting life that all believers have because of the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of our risen Savior Jesus Christ. This Easter and always, let’s rejoice in our salvation which is the most precious gift of a gracious God, exclusively through faith in His Son Christ the Lord. He lives and in Christ, we will live in His presence forever! Hallelujah!!! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ ...

  Be a Spiritual Nonconformist ( March 22, 2024) “ Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ” (James 4:4) We live in a world that insists on our conformity and compliance to human rather than godly standards! Remember those school days when seeking popularity among our peers, we tried to fit in, to be cool, and to be a part of the student groups and cliques that are so common? Today there is ever-increasing pressure on each of us to be politically correct, to conform to the expectations of the world, and to adopt prevailing attitudes and behaviors that are contrary to biblical truth. Society is rapidly moving away from the Christian morals and values that used to flourish in America and upon which this once God-fearing nation was reverently founded. Christians face the daily challenge of living in a wicked culture that seeks to impose itself upon us. While w...

  A Name Recorded in Heaven ( March 21, 2024) “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:24:25) While some people shun the spotlight and have no desire for public notoriety, others pursue self-centered lifestyles, vigorously seeking worldly fame and personal glory. Perhaps you know individuals who strive for attention and recognition, and may even resort to ruthlessness to gain the acclaim that they desperately seek. These prideful glory seekers elevate their own self-interests above the cares and concerns of other people, sometimes even including their loved ones and friends. Driven by robust egos, they burn with the desire to see their names prominently displayed in sparkling lights and revered in every household. Many of these self-absorbed people will stop at nothing to gain the fame, material possessions, fleshly pleasure, and social influe...

  A Time for Rest ( March 20, 2024) “ Rest in the  Lord , and wait patiently for Him. ” (Psalm 37:7) Successful lives are built on a foundation of vision, hard work, and perseverance. A strong work ethic has always been an integral part of the pursuit of the American dream. However, we should never neglect the fact that these physical bodies get tired and it is vitally important to give them rest that renews the strength needed to press toward our goals. Someone once said, “Rest is not idleness…(and) is by no means a waste of time.” Living productive and fulfilling lives requires a balance of diligent work and reviving rest. Proper repose recharges our physical, mental, and spiritual batteries and allows us to avoid burnout that drains our stamina, zeal, and creativity! Jesus recognized the importance of making adequate time for rest and relaxation. As Christ conducted His earthly ministry of powerful preaching, insightful teaching, and miraculous works, huge thr...

  “For lo, the winter is past. The rain is gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come. And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12) With a chill in the air, spring will officially be reborn at 11:05 p.m. today, March 19th. Praise our glorious God for the beauty of His natural creations. The buds, blossoms, and regeneration of spring are prominent among these natural wonders. This picturesque season of renewal mirrors the spiritual rebirth in Jesus Christ for which Christians can be eternally grateful. Glory to our living God! “For the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:11)

  Greet Each Day with Gratitude and Gladness ( March 18, 2024) At the start of and throughout each day, we should all resolve to rejoice with gratitude and gladness for the blessing and beauty of every moment we’re given by a gracious, loving God. Probably penned by King David, the psalmist of ancient Israel, Psalm 118 reminds us that every day is a gift of God that should be celebrated with joy and thanksgiving. Familiarly, the psalmist wrote in verse 24: “This is the day the  Lord  has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ” Each new day of life is a fresh expression of God’s boundless grace and love for you and me, and we are to receive it with joyful gladness. The L ORD wants us to live each day to the fullest, recognizing that He is the source of all good gifts, and using the time, talents, and resources that He has provided to each of us to honor and glorify Him. Whether the day brings joy or sorrow, we can rejoice that God is working all circumstances to be...

  The Intimate Relationship of Faith, Hope, and Love ( March 15, 2024)     “ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) Faith, hope, and love are intimately interconnected! These are the three foundational virtues upon which joyful, fruitful, and rewarding Christian lives are built. As believers, the unselfish love that we should speak and show to other people each day is the outward expression of deep inner faith in Jesus Christ in whom we have the assurance of an everlasting hope. Having gained access to God’s abiding grace through faith in Christ and acceptance of His sacrifice for our sins, we are spiritually changed. Our transformed hearts gratefully desire to engage in labors of love for our L ORD as we endure life’s trials and patiently anticipate His appearing to take us to a heavenly paradise where we will live forever in the glorious presence of our Almighty God!  “ We give thanks...

  A Place in Paradise ( March 14, 2024) “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) In a fallen world in which human nature has been corrupted by sin, we should thank God constantly for His abiding grace. Although many are in a state of denial, God’s Word says we are all sinners who have fallen short of His glory and, as a result, deserve to suffer the consequence of our transgressions, spiritual death. Thankfully, though, God is merciful and does not will that we get what we deserve. Instead, He has offered each of us what we do not deserve—His grace—when we turn away from our sins and come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. No sin, however despicable, is beyond the far reaches of God’s amazing grace. Only outright rejection of this unmerited favor offered by the L ORD condemns the unbeliever to His wrathful judgment. Crucified between two criminals on a hill called Calvary, Jesus sho...

  Rejoice Evermore! ( March 13, 2024) “ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ” (Philippians 4:4) As followers of Jesus Christ, we should be the most joyful people on the planet! All too often, however, Christians allow the world to rob us of our joy. One of the Christlike attributes known as the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22), joy is a state of mind and orientation of the heart characterized by abounding contentment, confidence, and hope. Distinguished from happiness that ebbs and flows with changing circumstances, joy is a deep, soul-soothing delight in the L ORD and trust in His promises that abide in us whether times are tough or terrific. Our joy springs from the blessed assurance and eternal hope we have in Christ, our Savior! Let us rejoice! “ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ” (Romans 15:13) Having been reconciled to God and showered wi...

  A God We Can Depend Upon ( March 12, 2024) “ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much   fruit; for without Me you can do   nothing. ” (John 15:5) As part of our prideful human nature, we tend to try to take charge and assume complete control of our lives. Asserting their own free will, many individuals seek to manipulate their life circumstances and other people in to promote their personal aspirations and agendas. Individually, we seek, as the classic song says, to do it “My Way.”  Obviously, modern society glorifies independent-mindedness and self-sufficiency. On the other hand, Almighty God, Who is in sovereign control of all creation, wants us to trust and rely upon Him to direct our lives according to His perfect will and divine plan designed to bring about the most beneficial outcomes possible. God’s desire is that we humble ourselves and allow Him to have His way, recognizing His lordship over our live...

  Knowing God Personally ( March 11, 2024) “…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) What do you value most in life? Too often, I’m afraid that we fail to give Almighty God His rightful place at the top of our list of priorities. I am not one for making empty resolutions that tend to quickly fall by the wayside, but as this year quickly unfolds, I am earnestly seeking to get to know my God better and to enter into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him as my first love. Many people and all of Satan’s demons know about Jesus Christ, but sadly they neither know Him personally nor recognize Him as L ORD and Savior of their lives. Some folks are so caught up in worldly pursuits and focused on forging bonds of friendship and fellowship with other people that they neglect to develop the personal relationship with Jesus that Scripture says is essential for salvation an...

  Pray for Spiritual Maturity ( March 8, 2024)   “ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Colossians 1:9-12) As believers seeking to grow in the grace, knowledge, and likeness of the L ORD Jesus Christ, we need the fellowship, encouragement, support, and prayers of fellow Christians. The Bible contains many beautiful prayers that serve as models to guide us as we lift each other up to our heavenly Father each day....

  Opening Hearts and Hands to Help the Poor ( March 7, 2024)   “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the  Lord  your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8) As I do volunteer work for the local food bank and other organizations and interact with people in our county, I have become keenly aware of the great human needs that exist in our community. Everywhere you turn, it seems, often neglected people are experiencing personal deprivation, hardship, and trials of all sorts. It is heartbreaking to see first-hand the many problems facing some of the most unfortunate citizens of the county who are struggling with serious health issues, insufficient medical care, personal loneliness, unsafe and inadequate housing, un...

  What Pleases God? ( March 6, 2024)   “When a man’s ways please the  Lord , He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7) Biblical truth clearly teaches that we should seek to live our earthly lives in ways that please God, not the world or our fellow human beings. We must resist peer pressure to conform to worldly thinking and behavior and center our hearts on Jesus Christ. The L ORD promises throughout the Holy Scriptures to bless those who lead Christian lifestyles that find favor in His sight. God’s Word reveals many practices in which we must purposefully engage to bring pleasure to the God of our creation through our thoughts, words, and actions. What are some of these avenues that we should be pursuing daily to bring delight to our loving, gracious God? Let’s explore two of the essential elements that are evident in the lives of those who please God. “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and d...

  Where Grace Meets Faith ( March 5, 2024)  “ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) As sinners who’ve been saved by the grace of God, Christians are called to minister to the needs of other people by faithfully engaging in acts of love, compassion, generosity, and humility. We are to use the resources, talents, and blessings that God has given each of us to positively impact the lives of family members, friends, neighbors, fellow workers, and everyone with whom we cross paths daily. Once lost in our sins and dead spiritually, we have been reborn as new creations in Christ to do good deeds that glorify God, passing forward His love for mankind by addressing human needs, the greatest of which is salvation. This ultimate human need that we cannot satisfy ourselves prompted Jesus to sacrificially bear our sins on the cross to redeem us. “ For by grace you have bee...

  Bless the L ORD (March 4, 2024) “ Yours, O  Lord , is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O  Lord , and You are exalted as head over all.   Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.   “Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. ” (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)   As I recovered from my recent hip replacement surgery, I was often in pain and discomfort, and admittedly I was quick to complain and feel sorry for myself. But I soon realized that such a negative approach wasn’t very productive. So I decided to just give it all to God and trust Him to see me through my ordeal. I’m not saying I did a commendable job, but as best as I could, instead of compla...