Faith Walk

[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Zechariah 5-8 Revelation 19

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Zechariah 5-8, Revelation 19
Key Verse: Revelation 19:11

In 47 B.C., the Roman army under Julius Caesar soundly defeated the forces of King Pharnaces, who fought the Romans for control of the kingdom of Pontus in Asia Minor. After his victory Caesar returned to Rome and made the famous announcement, "Veni, vidi, vici," or, "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Some 1,700 years later a Polish military strategist, King John III Sobieski, led a brilliant campaign to drive the Ottoman invaders out of central Europe. Leading a force of 25,000 men, he came to the aid of the German emperor Leopold I and beat the invaders back from the walls of Vienna, saving the city and the emperor. The Polish king was given an audience before Pope Innocent XI, who congratulated him on his victory.

King John's reply was: "I came, I saw, God conquered."

In Revelation 19 John describes for us the last battle, one fought between the rebellious forces of this world and the Warrior-Messiah, the One who is rightly described as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Those two titles indicate His universal sovereignty and anticipate His ultimate triumph. A day is coming when Jesus will return and conquer the evil systems of this world.

That is the way it will be. The Lord will come, the world will see, and God will conquer. As John MacArthur so aptly summarizes what is recorded in this chapter, it is "not so much a battle as an execution." It is a quick account as God brings to a close the Tribulation.

Notice that the first part of the chapter is a scene of worship. The "hallelujahs" ring out! Worship God for the truth that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Revelation 20 Zechariah 9-12

Rebellion Runs Deep

Zechariah 9-12, Revelation 20
Key Verse: Revelation 20:7

The signboard in front of a Littleton, Colorado, church near Columbine High School announced the sermon title for the Sunday after the tragic shootings at the school in April 1999. It asked the question, "Where Was God on Tuesday Afternoon?"

That was a question many people wanted answered. However, it was not an expression of sincere inquiry but of shifting blame. The world wants to shift the blame. Man has been doing that since Genesis 3 when Adam said, "It was the woman you gave me." The sad irony is that people also ask, "How can a loving God send anyone to hell?" Yet that Tuesday they wished that God would have stopped the killers, even by death if necessary.

Where was God? He was-as He always has been-continuing to offer His grace and forgiveness to sinful, inherently evil man. Not willing that any should perish, God was continuing to demonstrate loving patience.

Not all agree that man is evil, yet he is. Revelation 20 is often thought of as teaching about the Millennium. It does say a little about that subject, but the chapter really is about the sinfulness of man and how God takes a thousand years to prove that point.

For a thousand years God will restrain Satan while Jesus reigns on this earth. Without Satan and his deception, an ideal environment will be in place. Yet when Satan is released, man will still rise up in rebellion against God. Therefore, the problem with man is not our environment (culture) but our heart. The reality is that man's rebellion against God runs deep.

The answer to man's deepest need is not more metal detectors but Jesus. He alone can change the sinner's heart. Have you received Him as your Savior?

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Revelation 21 Zechariah 13-14

The Refiner's Fire

Zechariah 13-14, Revelation 21
Key Verse: Zechariah 13:9

The process of refining metals is used in the Bible as a metaphor of spiritual purification. In a sense, if you have something made of pure gold or pure silver, it is made of the leftovers. Refining is a process by which everything else is removed and only the pure metal remains. It is accomplished through firing, putting the metal over the fire until it is a liquid from which can be drawn all the dross.

Our lives are not pure gold by any means. God's desire is that we be holy as He is holy. That means there are things that need to be removed from our lives. It also means that He will assist in that process!

God's intent is not to destroy us but to purify us. Sometimes His method is akin to the intense heat of the refiner's fire. Our response to the process is crucial. We can either allow Him to work in our lives, cooperating in removing that which is impure, or we can resist or rebel.

To His people, God sent the message through the prophet Zechariah that He would "refine them like silver and test them like gold" (13:9). That is painful, but look at the promise: "They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" The blessing will be ours.


Don't resist or rebel against God's refining fire. Learn from the tough times. Look for the ways in which God is using your difficulties to refine you.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Malachi 1-4 Revelation 22

Good to Go

Malachi 1-4, Revelation 22
Key Verse: Revelation 22:20

Jesus often told His disciples that He would one day leave them. But He also told them He would return for them: "I am going away and coming back to you" (John 14:28)

One day, as promised, He left. He ascended into the clouds from the midst of His gathered followers. But even then two angels promised, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

In the last chapter of the Bible, Jesus again makes the promise, "I am coming soon! . . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (22:12–13). The final recorded words of Jesus are, "Yes, I am coming soon" (v. 20).

If you know Jesus as your Savior, you are awaiting that day when Jesus will come quickly. It will happen soon. Don't be caught unprepared. Jesus is "good to go"; He is ready to return. Are you ready for Him?

"Lord, help me to live in such a way that I won't be caught off guard when You return. Help me to keep short accounts with You. Help me to be good to go too."

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 1-3 Matthew 1

Good Start Gone Bad

Genesis 1-3, Matthew 1
Key Verse: Genesis 3:15

At God's initiative the world came into existence. Things got off to a great start! Moses records throughout chapter 1 that God's assessment of creation was that "it was good." That phrase is repeatedly used to describe His work.

It was "not good," however, that man would be alone. But chapter 2 does not indicate that God realized that He had made a mistake. His work of creating "a suitable helper" for Adam was not a correcting but a continuing of His creative work. God's work of creation was good-perfect, in fact.

Chapter 3 tells how things went from good to bad. Satan entered the picture with the intent of ruining it. This time he was like a serpent intending to deceive. At other times he is like an angel of light who looks so right but is so wrong.

The wrong in this world is the effect of sin. The right in this world is the work of God. Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy of what Jesus would one day accomplish. By His death, burial and resurrection, He would break the power of sin. In Jesus there is salvation for all who believe.

As you begin this journey of reading the Bible, thank God for His Son, Jesus, who breaks the power of sin, and for His Word, the Bible. Also make it a prayer of commitment that you will finish what you begin today, that you will read the entire Bible this year.

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Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 4-6 Matthew 2

Out of Eden

Genesis 4-6, Matthew 2
Key Verses: Genesis 6:6-8

After the first sin, more sins followed. That’s the way it is with sin, a pattern seen right from the beginning.

God told Cain that sin was like a beast ready to destroy him (4:7). Cain, however, ignored this warning and murdered his brother. But that was only the beginning. As the race of men increased in number, some did seek the Lord, but man’s wickedness increased all the more (6:5).

Sin brings not only the pain of its effects now but also the judgment of God. Noah lived a righteous life; “he walked with God” (6:9). By God’s favor, not by his own merit, Noah was given the promise that he would be delivered from the flood that God would use to punish the sinful world.

Sin is nothing with which to trifle. It is like a beast that wants to destroy. It is not something done once but is a pattern, a lifestyle, that grows and spreads. The sin of an individual affects others who sometimes are the victims and at other times co-participants.

Escape from the consequences is possible, but it is found only in God’s favor and in His way. Noah lived by accepting God’s way for his deliverance. We live eternally by accepting God’s way for deliverance from our sins-Jesus.

How do you view sin-as something of no consequence, a thing you can do without penalty, or as a dangerous beast? Get God’s view! Right now ask God to help you see what sins may be in your life today.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 7-9 Matthew 3

The Rain of Death

Genesis 7-9, Matthew 3
Key Verse: Genesis 7:1

Sometimes the account of Noah and the ark is told as a wonderful story for children. Imaginations dance with images of animals on parade, going up a long ramp two by two into the ark.

But we need to keep in mind that this is a scene of judgment. Why the ark? Why the gathering of the animals? Both questions are answered with the word judgment. The sin of mankind had reached such depths that God could not allow it to continue unpunished. But by His grace He provided the ark as a place for those inside to escape. The rain brought death and the ark was the way of salvation.

The reality is the same today. Sin brings judgment. God’s grace provides salvation. There was one place of safety in Noah’s day: the ark. There is only one place of salvation today: the cross.

Sin must be punished. God warns and provides a way of escape. It is our decision to accept or reject what is offered to us in Jesus. If you have not done so before, acknowledge your need and accept Jesus as Savior today. He died, was buried and rose again so that you can live forever.

Have you received God’s offer of salvation? Remember, if Noah had stayed outside the ark, he would have died. Just knowing there is salvation is not enough. You need to receive it.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 10-12 Matthew 4

One Nation, Scattered under God

Genesis 10-12, Matthew 4
Key Verse: Genesis 11:4

The world was given a fresh start. Noah and his family survived because God chose to spare them and they had obeyed Him. In chapter 8 God gave His word not to destroy the world again by a flood. The changing of the seasons is a reminder of God’s unchanging faithfulness to His word (v. 22).

However, a pattern already seen in Genesis repeated itself again. Man continued to do those things that brought judgment. Noah’s drunkenness and Ham’s disrespect affected succeeding generations. The names of the nations that came into existence later would be identified with wrong and idolatry--names like Magog and Canaan, with cities named Sodom and Gomorrah.

By chapter 11 men were saying that they were ready to “make a name for [themselves]” (v. 4). In pride man is exalted and God is forgotten. Again a judgment from God came. This time He confused the language of the people and scattered them over the face of the earth.

Whenever we hear or read another language, it should remind us that pride is a sin that God hates. The seasons remind us of His faithfulness. The languages should remind us of the serious consequences of sin.

Pride is a dangerous sin, one that causes a person to exalt himself over others--sometimes over God. Examine your heart today. Remember that “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Prov. 11:2).

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 13-15 Matthew 5:1-26

Trust and Obey

Genesis 13-15, Matthew 5:1-26
Key Verse: Genesis 15:6

In Romans 4:3, Paul cites Genesis 15:6, which says, “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Abram’s life of belief is evident. When God told him to move, he moved. That was an act of obedience coupled with remarkable trust. God did not tell him where but that He would later show him the place. Without the course clearly marked, Abram believed and did what God wanted.

Abram’s belief was commemorated in altars. He built altars in Shechem, Bethel and Hebron. The first was at the place where God promised that the land would be given to Abram’s descendants. That altar served as a reminder of that promise. At the other locations Abram “called on the name of the Lord.” Those altars were places of prayer.

When returning from the rescue of Lot, Abram met Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High. To him Abram gave a tenth of everything, an act of worship recounted in Hebrews. Abram believed, and it showed. He remembered God’s promise, prayed and worshiped. His belief was not a one-time decision but a lifetime dedication.

Believe! And then live what you believe.

“God, help me not to forget the blessings that come from You. May my worship of You be constant because You are the God of every day and every place.”

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 16-17 Matthew 5:27-48

Letting Go, Letting God

Genesis 16-17, Matthew 5:27-48
Key Verse: Genesis 17:17

God’s ways certainly are not man’s ways. We need to remember that or we may be like Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, who at times struggled with what God was doing and tried to do what they thought should be done.

Sometimes the problem is a lack of patience. God promised Abraham descendants. When children did not come soon enough, Sarah conceived-not an heir but an error. Mankind still suffers the long-term effects of that decision. God’s way was not as fast as what man wanted.

Sometimes the problem is a lack of imagination. Hagar could not imagine staying when Sarah mistreated her. Sarah could not imagine that at her age she would have a child. God’s way was not imaginable to either of them.

Sometimes the problem is a lack of perspective. Abraham was told that Sodom was to be destroyed (Gen. 18). God saw the sin of the city; Abraham saw a city worth sparing. Perhaps there were ten righteous people in it, but evidently not. God’s way was not the same perspective.

We can be impatient, think things to be impossible and not see things as God sees them. Or we can study the Bible and learn God’s ways. He works things according to His timing and watches over us through even the hardest of situations. Our determination must be that God’s ways will be our ways.

Do not try to force God into your mold, but allow yourself to be shaped by His ways. Surrendering control to Him can be difficult but is best.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 18-19 Matthew 6:1-18

Two Questions

Genesis 18-19, Matthew 6:1-18
Key Verses: Genesis 18:13-14

Rhetorical questions are ones asked for effect. No answer is expected. In these chapters there are two such questions. No answer is expected because the answers are obvious. The questions are intended to remind us of two truths about God.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (18:14). Of course not. But sometimes that is easier to affirm than to live. Abraham would have answered “yes” immediately, though his situation might have caused him to balk internally. He and Sarah had just been told that they would have a baby.

Sarah laughed to herself at the thought. “After I am worn out and my master is old?” she asked. The first rhetorical question answered her question.

Sometimes people struggle with the truth that God is a God of love, grace and judgment. We might ask, “How can God do that?” Abraham himself tried to avert judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah by bartering with God. His struggle with judgment was answered with the second rhetorical question: “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (v. 25). Of course He will. He will do right even in exercising His judgment on those cities.

God can do anything, and whatever He does is right. A birth announcement and a judgment pronouncement remind us of these truths.

Is there something you think is too hard, even for God? You just read how God taught Abraham and Sarah that He can do anything and what He does is right. Learn both parts of this lesson.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 20-22 Matthew 6:19-34

Stay with God’s Plans

Genesis 20-22, Matthew 6:19-34
Key Verse: Genesis 22:5

God had promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have children. When Abraham moved to Gerar, however, his trust in this promise was tested. He was afraid that the king would kill him and take Sarah as his wife. Instead of trusting, Abraham planned to survive by telling the king that Sarah was his sister. In Gerar, Abraham trusted in his own plans.

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Instead of trusting that God would give them a son, Abraham and Sarah had tried to accomplish God’s promise their way, and thus Ishmael was born. The result was great tension after Isaac, the child of promise, was born. In the birth of Ishmael, Abraham trusted in his own plans.

On Moriah, however, Abraham trusted God and experienced His blessing. He obeyed when God told him to sacrifice Isaac. His faith was so strong that he believed God would bring Isaac back to life after being sacrificed. Abraham demonstrated that faith when he told his servants, “We will worship and then we will come back to you” (22:5, emphasis mine). He knew Isaac would return with him.

Like Abraham, we do best when we stay with God’s plans.

Our plans may seem best but are not unless they are God’s plans. We are called to trust and obey. Decide today to make those three words the characteristic of you life-that you trust and obey.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 23-24 Matthew 7

When the Times Are Changing

Genesis 23-24, Matthew 7
Key Verses: Genesis 24:26-27

With growing older comes change. In today’s reading, Abraham experienced the loss of his wife and the addition of a daughter-in-law. In these two events he trusted and obeyed God.

When Sarah died, Abraham demonstrated his faith in a remarkable way. He buried her in the land God promised to him. Later, when Abraham died, all that he possessed of the Promised Land was that grave site-and he paid for it. God stayed faithful and kept His promise. The land was given to Abraham’s descendents.

Choosing a bride for Isaac was also an act of trust and obedience. Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son. He did this believing that God would “send his angel before” the servant and provide a wife for Isaac (24:7). At a well outside of Nahor, the servant met Rebekah, Isaac’s future wife.

Abraham had learned his lesson well. He did not take God’s plans into his own hands. The temptation is great to carry out our plans, to do God’s will our way. But the hymn says it well: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.”

Did you notice how God was praised and thanked by Abraham’s servant? List three things that you praise and thank God for today.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 25-26 Matthew 8:1-17

Faith of Our Fathers

Genesis 25-26, Matthew 8:1-17
Key Verse: Genesis 26:24

Woven in these two chapters are both belief and disbelief. Isaac believed enough to pray and to stay. He prayed when he and Rebekah were having difficulty conceiving. God answered that prayer with twins. He also stayed in Gerar when God told him not to go to Egypt during a famine. But like his father, there came a point where he disbelieved enough to lie (26:7).

This section concludes with a reciting of God’s blessing on Isaac. Even Abimelech, the king to whom he lied, wanted an alliance with Isaac. He wanted to be at peace with the one whom God was blessing. Isaac recognized God’s blessing in his life and thus learned a vital lesson.

His sons needed to learn that lesson too. In a moment of fatigue and hunger, Esau gave up his birthright in exchange for some food. Like his father and grandfather, concern for the physical caused him to lose sight of the spiritual.

A good family background and even God’s guidance are not enough. In every one of us is the potential to do wrong. We need to realize this, refuse to do what is wrong, determine to do what is right-and then do it.

We can be thankful for the godly heritage we receive, and we can leave one to our children as well. But pleasing God is more than heritage-it involves belief and obedience. Make the choice today to trust and obey.

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[nChrist]

Author: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Faith Walk
Scripture Reference Genesis 27-28 Matthew 8:18-34

The End and the Means

Genesis 27-28, Matthew 8:18-34
Key Verses: Genesis 28:15-16

Jacob knew what he wanted: his father’s blessing. After all, it was God’s promise for his life. It was not a question of what he wanted but of how he got it.

Already Esau had surrendered his birthright (25:33). Then Jacob added his own deceit to the situation. Coached by his mother, he pretended to be Esau so his father would bless him. It worked. By deceit he got what God had already promised him. The fact that it was already his by God’s promise did not justify his wrong behavior.

The deceiver then had to leave. Under the guise of looking for a wife, he was sent to his uncle Laban. There, the deceiver himself would be deceived.

God always keeps His word. Even as Jacob traveled away from home, God met him at Bethel and blessed him.

Sometimes people think that getting what they want is the most important thing. But how it is obtained is important as well. The end never justifies the means. God’s word should be enough. There is no need to scheme or deceive because God is faithful to His promises.

As you follow through the story of Jacob, these scenes of deceit keep reoccurring. If someone were reading a summary of your life, what patterns would be evident? If it’s a pattern of wrong, then pray now for God to help you change.

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