DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 10.14.23

 TeachingUniverse “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech,and night unto night sheweth knowledge.” (Psalm19:1-2) This familiar psalm, extolling God’s creation (vv. 1-6) and God’s Word (vv. 7-14), begins with a beautiful summary of the testimony of the physical universe. “The heavens” and “the firmament” are synonymous (Genesis1:8), both being equivalent to our modern scientific concept of space. The “glory of God” refers to His infinite power, or energy, and “his handywork” implies the infinite variety and complexity of physical systems, or matter, in the universe. This interactionof matter and energy occurs everywhere throughout space, but also has to operate and be understood in the context of time, “day unto day” and “night unto night.” The entire marvelous complex of space/time/matter/energy is continually “uttering speech” and “showing knowledge,” teaching men and women of all times and places that there is a great Creator God who made it all. “The invisible things of him from the creationof the world are clearly seen” (Romans1:20). The boundless space, the endless time, the infinite energies, and the innumerable complexities of the matter of the universe all unite in irrefutable testimony to the God of creation. The most fundamental principle of science, as well as the most universalrule of human experience, is the Law of Cause and Effect, stating that no effect can transcend its cause. Thus, the great cause of the universe must be infinite, eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient. And since we as living, feeling persons are able to thinkabout all this, that cause must also be a living, feeling, thinking person. This is the great lesson engraved on the textbook of the universe for all to read and learn. The whole creation, indeed, declares the glory of God. HMM --------------------- ScatteredAbroad “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” (Acts8:4) God has given two great commissions to His people, both of which would require worldwide effort to accomplish. Both, however, were so resisted that God Himself had to step in and force His people to be obedient. Immediately, after the great Flood, God gave the following command: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis9:1). This was an extension of the Edenic mandate given to Adam in the beginning, a commission to fill the earth and exercise dominion over it under God (1:28). Noah’s descendants, however, decided to stay in Babel and “make us a name, lest we be scatteredabroad upon the face of the whole earth.” As a result of this rebellion, “the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth” (11:4, 9). Over 2,000 years later, the Lord gave His disciples another great worldwide commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark16:15). Then followed the coming of the Holy Spirit, and soon “the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly” (Acts6:7). But they remained in Jerusalem instead of spreading out to “the uttermost part of the earth” (1:8). Therefore, God once again intervened, and “there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem: and they were all scattered abroad” (8:1).Then, finally, began their full obedience to the great commission, for “they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word,” and eventually some “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” will stand in saving faith before theLord (Revelation7:9). HMM --------------------- IWill Build My Church “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gatesof hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew16:18) This is the first of 115 occurrences of ekklesia in the New Testament—three times translated “assembly,” all other times as “church.” It is a compound of ek and klesia, thus meaning “called out” from their previous locations to meet together as a body for some purpose. The three times it is translated “assembly” refer to the town meeting in Ephesus (Acts19:32, 39, 41). Once it refers to the congregation of Israelites in the wilderness (Acts7:38), leaving 111 times when it refers to a Christian church or churches. Of these 111, at least 86 clearly refer to local churches, each meeting as a body in specific times and places. Individual local churches may come and go, but the institution of the local church will continue at least until the return of Christ. In the Bible’sfinal chapter, after outlining the entire future of the world, Jesus said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches” (Revelation22:16). All churches of all times and places, as well as the seven representative churches of Asia (Revelation2 and 3), which have long since died out as distinct local churches, are thus intended to hear of the world’s prophetic future. This is the last mention of churches, but the first, as cited in our text, has eternal dimensions, for even the “gates of hell” cannot prevail against it. This church actually will be in heaven itself. “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city ofthe living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews12:22-23). HMM ------------------- TheFirst Resurrection - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. �2 Corinthians 5:8 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-first-resurrection/- Listen What happens when Christians die? The simple answer is that if you�ve put your faith in Jesus Christ, you immediately will go to Heaven. There are no stopovers or suspended states of animation. There is nopurgatory or soul sleep. When Christians die, they go directly into God�s presence. The Bible says, �Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord� (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT). As Christians, we will go to Heaven one day, and we�ll get there in one of two ways: death or the Rapture. There is a generation that will not see death but will instead goto Heaven in the Rapture. We don�t know whether we will be that generation. But we could be. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers, �We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come downfrom heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves� (1 Thessalonians 4:15�16 NLT). He continued, �Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with theLord forever� (verse 17 NLT). That means we could be going about our business one day, and without warning�in a nanosecond, in a flash�we will meet Jesus Christ in the air. Not only that, but we will immediatelyreunite with our Christian loved ones and friends who have gone to Heaven before us. The Bible calls this the first resurrection. Revelation 20:6 says, �Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power� (NLT). The second death is the final Great White Throne Judgment, while the first resurrection is the Rapture. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul referred to the Rapture, saying, �But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happenin a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever� (verses 51�52 NLT). This means that Christians do not have to fear death. Yes, Christians will die physically. But our mortal bodies will put on immortality. The soul lives on. That will never die. It is why Paul said, �Living means living for Christ,and dying is even better� (Philippians 1:21 NLT). Of course, Christians grieve like everyone else when we lose loved ones. But the Bible says that we don�t grieve as those who do not have hope (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13).For the Christian, death is not the end. It�s a transition from earth to Heaven. ----------------------------- Heavenly Crowns - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! �1 Thessalonians 2:19 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/heavenly-crowns/- Listen According to Scripture, rewards will be given out in Heaven for our faithfulness. What kind of rewards will they be? The Bible specifically mentions crowns. For example, there is a crown of rejoicing, which we could also call the soul winner�s crown. Theapostle Paul wrote, �After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!� (1 Thessalonians 2:19 NLT). Paul was effectively saying that the people he reached with the gospel will be his crown of rejoicing. This seems to indicate that if we have led others to Christ, then wewill receive a special crown. The Bible also mentions a crown of life. James 1:12 tells us, �God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of lifethat God has promised to those who love him� (NLT). This crown is for those who have resisted temptation and persevered under trial. Some people have tougher lives than others. Certain people seem to skate through life relatively unscathed. On the other hand, maybe you�ve had a difficult life, but you�vebeen faithful during those times of testing. Despite setbacks, hardships, disabilities, or illnesses, you have honored the Lord. As a result, you will receive the crown of life. Then there is the crown of righteousness. Paul mentioned this crown in 2 Timothy: �And now the prize awaits me�the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing� (4:8 NLT). This is a crown for faithful living. It�s a crown for those who long for the return of Christ, for those who live in the light of Heaven. Here�s what we need to remember: It isn�t about how famous you are. Rather, it�s about being faithful with what God has called you to do. It is not about what God has calledyour friend or your pastor or someone else to do. It�s all about what God has given you to do. Have you been faithful? As you think about your life, you might say, �I don�t know that I�ve reached thousands or hundreds or even tens.� But if you follow Jesus Christ and have told others aboutHim, then you�ve sown seeds of the gospel. That seed might not break ground until later. Maybe one person you�ve led to the Lord will lead twenty people to the Lord twenty years from now. Or maybe the person you impactedwith the gospel will have children who raise their children in the way of the Lord. And maybe one of their children will become the next Billy Graham. All the spiritual fruit that goes from generation to generation will come back to you. You will share in it. And you will be rewarded for your faithfulness to God. ------------------------ TheWhole Armor of God �Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.� (Ephesians 3:13) This modern age of terrorism, drugs, sexual license, rampant crime, and worldwide unbelief is surely an evil day; and each Christian urgently needs �the whole armour of God� to stand against the devil�s wiles today. This armor is clearly described in Ephesians 6:14-18, but it seems that Satan�s wiles have confused it in the minds of many Christian educators. Paraphrasing this passage, their view might be expressed somewhat as follows: �Gird your loins with an open-ended search for truth, and have onthe breastplate of value sensitivity, your feet shod with the gospel of academic tolerance; above all, taking the shield of accreditation and legal protection, with the helmet of economic security and the sword of evolutionary thought, praying always to theDepartment of Education and your academic peers.� Such Christian compromise is no armor at all. How much better to be undergirded with revealed truth, founded on creation and biblical inerrancy, than by a �search� for truth! The true breastplate is righteousness, both imputed and practiced, and the true peace of God through Christ adorns the beautifulfeet of those who carry the gospel. The shield is faith, which must be exercised first of all in special creation (Hebrews 11:3). The helmet,protecting the mind, is the genuine hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8). With no armor for the back, since the Christian is �to stand,� not to retreat, the chief offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God that meets each particular need. Finally, insistent prayer is both an offensive and a defensive weapon. The �weapons of our warfare� are �mighty through God tothe pulling down of strong holds� (2 Corinthians 10:4). HMM ------------------------ Seven Outgrowths of Faith �And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.� (2 Peter 1:5-7) �Having escaped the corruption that is in the world� (v. 4) through our �faith� in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we must now grow spiritually, conforming our nature and practice to His. We must put to use the divine nature we now possess, recognizing that Hehas provided all the resources we need. In this passage, Peter assumes we already have �faith,� thus here our spiritual lives must begin. Peter instructs us to �add to� that faith seven character traits: virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience (perseverance), godliness, brotherly kindness,and charity (agape love). There seems to be, both in the text (i.e., �add to�) and in practice, a progression here. New Christians should strive for virtue, eliminating sinful actions and thoughts from our lives, as the Holy Spirit brings conviction. A commitment to growth in knowledge, first the basics of the faith and then deeper doctrines, enables us to exercise wisdom in life�s choices. A self-controlled, disciplined lifestyle exercises perseverance, even strength in the face of adversity, which in turn produces godliness�an attitude of reverence toward God that strives to please Him by developing His attitudes and priorities. Our relations with others will thus be marked by brotherly kindness toward believers and agape love (self-sacrificing, undeserved love) for all. Such spiritual growth does not come without effort. He has provided all we need, but we must �give all diligence� to the process, much more than simply allowing the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts to work on our character and habits. Any lack of spiritualgrowth is our fault, not His. JDM ----------------------- EverFaithful - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org I am the living one. I died, but look�I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. �Revelation 1:18 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/ever-faithful/- Listen When Christ was born in Bethlehem, the angels appeared to some shepherds nearby and said, �Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased� (Luke 2:14 NLT). Jesus came to bring peace on earth. The Antichrist, however, will come to take peace from the earth. And here�s what we need to know: Satan is behind all the wars and struggles on this planet. We�re understandably perplexed when we hear about barbaric acts of war and terrorism. The network pundits try to explain it. But the reason people do these horrible thingsis because there is a devil. And the devil loves violence and war. He loves carnage and death. We�ve had some massive wars in our world�s history. There was World War I, which was called the war to end all wars. But it took only twenty years for another conflict todevelop, and World War II was far worse, with even more casualties. And the worst wars are yet to come. Concerning the end of the age, Jesus said, �And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don�t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won�t follow immediately.Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come� (Matthew 24:6�8 NLT). Here�s the bottom line: God always has the last word. Sometimes things look bleak, and we have setback after setback. We say, �I thought God�s Word would prevail.� It willin time. God will have the last word. God is faithful and true. He will keep every promise He has made to you. Sometimes we�re in despair. Sometimes we�re frightened. And maybe you�re afraid right now. Here are the words of Jesus to you: �And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age� (Matthew 28:20 NLT). He also said, �I will never fail you. I willnever abandon you� (Hebrews 13:5 NLT). Maybe you�re afraid of death. Jesus said, �Don�t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look�I am alive forever and ever! And I hold thekeys of death and the grave� (Revelation 1:17�18 NLT). He was saying, �Don�t be afraid. I�ve been there. I have come back. It is covered.� Jesus said to the disciples, �Don�t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father�s home. If this were not so,would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am� (John 14:1�3 NLT). Our God is faithful. ------------------------------ Found Faithful - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, �Invest this for me while I am gone.� �Luke 19:13 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/found-faithful/- Listen What are we supposed to do as Christians until Jesus returns? How are we to live our lives? The Bible tells us there are specific things that we should be doing. One thing that God has given to every follower of Jesus, without exception, is the message of the gospel. While not everyone is called to be an evangelist, everyone is calledto evangelize. The apostle Paul mentioned in his letter to Timothy how God entrusted �the glorious Good News� to him (1 Timothy 1:11). And God has entrusted the glorious Good News to usas well. Jesus told a parable about a man of great wealth who was preparing to leave on a long trip. He called his servants together and gave each of them a sum of money. Everyonereceived the same amount. Then he told them, �Invest this for me while I am gone� (Luke 19:13 NLT). In the same way, Jesus is saying to us, �I�m coming back soon, so take this message that I�ve entrusted to you and share it with others. Do God�s business until I return.� There is nothing wrong with having a career or getting married and having a family. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the things God has given to us. But here�s the question we must ask ourselves: �What am I personally doing to get the gospel out?� Maybe you believe that is the job of pastors and evangelists. Yes, it is. But it is also the job of every Christian. It is more than giving money for the work of evangelism,although that is a very good thing to do. It is also looking for opportunities that God puts in our paths. Jesus made this clear in another parable He told about someone who had mismanaged his employer�s finances. Knowing he was about to be fired, the manager reached out to severalof the people who owed money to his employer. For example, one man owed 800 gallons of oil, so the employee had him settle the debt for 400 gallons. The manager did the same thing with a number of people who were in debtto his employer. And ultimately, instead of reproving this manager, the employer commended him for his shrewdness. Jesus concluded by saying, �Here�s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you toan eternal home� (Luke 16:9 NLT). In the same way, we need to take our resources and use them for the work of the gospel. God has given each of us three things to use for His glory: time, talent, and treasure.We all have these in varying degrees. God doesn�t hold us responsible for success; He holds us responsible for faithfulness. In that final day, Jesus isn�t going to say, �Well done, good and successful servant.� Instead, He will say, �Well done, good and faithful servant.� Take what God has given you and do the best that you can do. ------------------------- Day of Fire �For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth withher increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.� (Deuteronomy 32:22) The Bible clearly teaches that the Lord will judge Earth with fire. The Lord promises to make a new earth where those who humbled themselves to receive His righteousness can live without fear of evil. To do that, He will first rid this fading world of thosewho are bent on wrongdoing. �The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up� (2 Peter 3:10). This is not mere metaphor. The very foundationsof the mountains will burn. Mountains are rooted in continental crust, which reaches far below the earth�s surface toward the deep mantle. Such depths are already broiling, as lava reveals, but its temperature will intensify, according to Scripture. Isaiah did not mince words, warning repeatedly of fire to come. �And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day� (Isaiah10:17). �Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire� (Isaiah29:6). Those who reject these warnings will be caught willfully unaware when the day arrives �when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel� (Romans2:16). Whoever will accept this message can prepare for this day of fire. For those who seek salvation, �ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire� but �to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant� (Hebrews12:18, 24). BDT ------------------------- While You�re Waiting - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. �2 Peter3:14 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/while-youre-waiting/- Listen I became a Christian in 1970. There was a lot of excitement back then, because a revival called the Jesus Movement had broken out. Historians agree that it was a genuine spiritualawakening. There also was a lot of teaching about the last days. We thought Jesus was coming back at any moment. Back then, I was a graphic artist, so I designed a �Jesus is coming!� bumper sticker. But now some Christians are wondering why He hasn�t come back yet. Did He forget His promise to us? The Bible tells us why Jesus hasn�t returned: �The Lord isn�t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does notwant anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent� (2 Peter 3:9 NLT). The Lord is waiting for the last person to believe. And when that day comes, when that person believes, we will meet Him in the air in the Rapture. The passage continues, �Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurryingit along. . . . And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight� (verses 11�12, 14 NLT). How are we to live as we await the return of Christ? We should live holy and godly lives, making every effort to be spotless and blameless and at peace with Him. That is whatwe should be doing. And if we don�t understand this, then we�re missing the point. People have an endless appetite for last days events. They want to hear about the Rapture, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, Armageddon, and all the rest. That is great. Butas we study all these things, what we learn should have an impact on the way we live. As we look forward to the return of Christ, we should be shining lights in a dark place. Jesus said, �Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning� (Luke 12:35 NLT).In this statement, Jesus was referring to a first-century Jewish wedding. These weddings were unique in that no one knew when the bridegroom would arrive. It might be at 3:00 in the morning or at 3:00 in the afternoon. But suddenly the announcementwould go out that the bridegroom was on his way. Everyone would quickly take their places, and then the wedding would begin. Jesus was saying this is what it will be like as we wait for His return. So, let�s be ready to go. Let�s be shining our light. As our culture gets darker, we need to shinebrighter as Christians. Let�s be known for what we are for rather than what we are against. Let�s look for opportunities to show the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way, earning the right to sharethe gospel. --------------------------------