2019-05-20 – Titus 2:1

Verse of the Day: Titus 2:1  “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

It is important that if we are going to teach the scriptures, that we make sure we teach what it says, and not what we think it says or what we want it to say. There are many false teachers out there who are deceivers, declaring things that the Word of God clearly does not say or speaks against.  Do not teach things that others teach without checking it out.  Note Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”  Check if it is accurate.  And also make sure your teachings are not based on false presuppositions.  Be open to having your mind changed by God as you study.  It is important to teach God’s Word as God said it.  It is what everyone needs, both believers and unbelievers.

 

2019-05-21 – James 1:2-3

Verse of the Day: James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Paul says something here that seems to run contrary to the way most people think.  Count it all ‘joy’ when we experience trials?  This does not come naturally.  It is much easier to be sad and downcast.  However, it is important to see that the joy is not because we are suffering, but because of the strength that comes from patience.  And as Paul said, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance”. 

God allows us to go through trials to build up our endurance so that we can remain steadfast in our walk; to stand against those things contrary to God and His ways.   The more we see God bringing us through these tough times, the more endurance we will have to stay true to Him no matter what we face.  And we will need this endurance as anti-christian attitudes continue to grow as we get closer to His return. 

 

2019-05-22 – Matthew 5:6

Verse of the Day: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “

We all desire to be righteous before God.  However, how strongly do we desire it?  Jesus said that we should hunger and thirst for it.  In other words, we should desire this above anything else.

This is what God desires of us.  To be righteous, to do the right thing, to be as He created us to be.  However, if we do not make this our focus, or if other things can take precedence, we will not attain it.  I want to encourage everyone reading this to go before God in prayer, asking Him to guide your steps to do all that He commands and turn away from that which He does not want.  Ask Him to help you be a righteous servant and son.  For if this is truly your greatest desire, you will attain it. 

 

2019-05-23 – Matthew 6:1

Verse of the Day: Matthew 6:1  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

Jesus is not saying we are not to practice our righteousness before others, but we are not to practice it for the purpose of having other people see it.  If we do, then we are exalting ourselves and not God, and this is unacceptible.  We should do it such that we receive no glory from man, but that we glorify God.  

The emphasis is on ‘why are we doing what we are doing?’  Are we doing righteousness for others sake, or for our sake.  Verses 2-4 completes the idea.  “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” 

Nothing we do should lift ourselves up.  Others may see what we do, but our focus should be on doing the right thing.  We should live a righteous life because it is the right thing to do.  And then our Heavenly Father will reward us accordingly.   And what more could we ask for?

 

2019-05-24 – Matthew 6:19

Verse of the Day: Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,”

Where are our treasures?  More importantly, what are our treasures?  What is it that means the most to us?  Are they things down here which are subject to decay or can be taken away from us by thieves?  

I want to first say it is ok to have nice things.  However, they must be in proper perspective.  Remember what Jesus said to the rich young ruler.  Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” It was not because it was wrong to have stuff.  It was wrong to place these earthly possessions above Christ.  In the next verse, it says “When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”  His stuff was more important than following Christ.

If these earthly things get in the way of doing God’s will, then we may need to separate ourselves from them.  For nothing takes precedence over God and His will.  Again, it is ok to have nice things, but God’s work is more important.  Jesus summed it up best when He said, Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.