A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The City Of Refuge (#19940712)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger: that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment” (Numbers 35:11,12).

The fundamental law for maintaining order in human societies had been given by God at the very beginning of the post-flood world. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man” (Genesis 9:6). Blood vengeance is still practiced in some cultures, no difference being made between an accidental homicide and deliberate murder.

In the Mosaic law, however, God did establish such a distinction, providing cities of refuge to which a manslayer could flee for protection from the avenger, assuming he was not guilty of real murder. The New Testament makes this to be a type of the safety a sinner can find in Christ.

The writer of Hebrews stresses the sure promise of God for the sinner’s salvation in these powerful words: “That . . . we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:18,19). A guilty sinner, deserving death (“for the wages of sin is death”—Romans 6:23), has no escape from his just punishment except to flee to the Lord Jesus for refuge and security.

God not only has provided a refuge; He is that refuge, for Christ the Savior is also God the Judge. He Himself has borne the judgment; therefore He can provide salvation. “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:7). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Risen With Christ


"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1).

The wise believer revels in the fact of Christ's resurrection. Some things in Scripture may be easier to identify with and apply, including Christ's substitutionary death, but it is the resurrection which gives us power to live victoriously. "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

We have been "crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed" (Romans 6:6). Nevertheless, we are risen with Him, as our text and elsewhere (Romans 6; Ephesians 2:1-10; etc.) clearly teaches. This resurrection is an inward one, of course, but our bodily resurrection is also guaranteed by Christ's bodily resurrection, should we physically die. "Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus" (II Corinthians 4:14).

Power to serve Him effectively comes through His resurrection, for we have access to the "exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19-20). We have authority over all human and demonic institutions through Him who even now operates as head of the living church of His followers.

Perhaps the most precious of all benefits of the resurrection is that "we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens" who is sympathetic to "the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).

[Soldier4Christ]

The End Of The Law (#19940713)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4).

The necessity of adherence to the Mosaic Law is no longer in effect. It was “glorious” for its time and purpose (II Corinthians 3:11), but that which replaced it (i.e., the grace of Christ) is far better and will last for eternity. The law was simply unable to bring about justification of a sinner, as can belief in Christ’s finished work. “And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39).

However, many of the commandments given in the Mosaic Law are repeated in the New Testament. Even the Ten Commandments are restated (Romans 13:9; I Timothy 1:9,10; and elsewhere). Jesus taught, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . and . . . thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37,40). Clearly, the law remains in some aspects. We are not free to live a licentious, sinful lifestyle. How then does Scripture teach that “Christ is the end of the law”?

The solution lies in the recognition of the fact that the Mosaic “code,” the scheme by which God related to Israel has passed. There have been several other Biblical “codes” which have also passed (see Genesis 1:28–30; 9:2–6), and while specific aspects and/or commandments are different in each, many provisions are common in all. God’s desire for holiness does not change, and those deeds of men which violate His holy, unchanging nature are forbidden in each of the “codes” He has given.

We are now blessed to be under “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), elsewhere called “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (which) hath made (us) free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

God the Owner


"The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).

In communist countries, "the people" own the lands, while in capitalist countries, individuals may own "private property." Both are myths unless these are viewed as a stewardship from God. We don't really own anything, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (I Timothy 6:7).

In the mineral kingdom, the most important substances are the precious metals upon which monetary standards are based, yet God makes it clear that all "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine" (Haggai 2:. The greatest members of the plant kingdom are the mighty trees of the forest, and God reminds us that "The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted" (Psalm 104:16). All the birds and beasts in the animal kingdom are His also. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10).

Again and again God reminds us that "all the earth is mine" (Exodus 19:5) and even the infinite heavens belong to Him. "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is" (Deuteronomy 10:14).

God has, indeed, given man "dominion . . . over all the earth" (Genesis 1:26), and Satan has, indeed, laid false claim to "all the kingdoms of the world" (Luke 4:5-6), but the fact remains that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will" (Daniel 4:32).

Most of all, every Christian should understand that he and all he has belong to God, by both creation and blood-bought redemption. "Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

[Shammu]

Risen With Christ


"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1).

The wise believer revels in the fact of Christ's resurrection. Some things in Scripture may be easier to identify with and apply, including Christ's substitutionary death, but it is the resurrection which gives us power to live victoriously. "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

We have been "crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed" (Romans 6:6). Nevertheless, we are risen with Him, as our text and elsewhere (Romans 6; Ephesians 2:1-10; etc.) clearly teaches. This resurrection is an inward one, of course, but our bodily resurrection is also guaranteed by Christ's bodily resurrection, should we physically die. "Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus" (II Corinthians 4:14).

Power to serve Him effectively comes through His resurrection, for we have access to the "exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19-20). We have authority over all human and demonic institutions through Him who even now operates as head of the living church of His followers.

Perhaps the most precious of all benefits of the resurrection is that "we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens" who is sympathetic to "the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).

AMEN!!

Brother, can I have your permission to use this (Risen With Christ)?

[Soldier4Christ]

Freely received freely given. Of course you can use it brother.

[Shammu]

Thank you brother, I see you do the same thing I do.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Fatherhood of God


"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring" (Acts 17:28).

"The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man" was a religious cliché promoted for many years, especially by religious liberals in the period between the two world wars. However, continuing hostilities between and inside most nations now make the idea of universal brotherhood in this present world almost farcical.

The fact is, however, that God truly is the Father of all men, in the sense that He created them all. "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?" (Malachi 2:10). That was the rhetorical question posed to Israel in the last book of the Old Testament. In the New Testament the apostle Paul confirmed the same great truth to the pagan Gentiles. " hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth," and "we are the offspring of God" (Acts 17:26,29).

The sad fact is, however, that most men and women have actually become "children of the wicked one" (Matthew 13:38) because of sin. We can only become spiritual children of the heavenly Father by being born again through faith in Christ. But we then truly "become the sons of God," as assured to all those who "believe on His name" (John 1:12).

Now we believers can all rejoice in the wonderful truth that we have the same heavenly Father. We have been "renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, . . . but Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:10-11).

May God help those of us who are (or will someday become) fathers on Earth to truly be children of our Father in heaven and thereby be genuine models of the heavenly Father to our human children here on Earth.

[Soldier4Christ]

Exhorting One Another (#19940714)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

The fascinating word rendered “exhort” (Greek parakaleo) in our text verse, elsewhere translated “comfort,” “beseech,” etc., literally means “call alongside.”

For example, note II Corinthians 1:4: “(God) comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Also look at Paul’s appeal to Philemon. “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds” (Philemon 10). Such words as “desire,” “entreat,” and “pray” are also used.

The unusual importance of the word is pointed up by the fact that its noun form (parakletos) is used as one of the titles of God the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

Thus a Christian who is “called alongside,” to comfort a sorrowing friend, to beseech a person to do right, or to exhort him to useful action, all in the name of Christ, is in effect performing the same type of service on the human level that the Holy Spirit Himself performs on the divine level. Further, our text would inform us that this type of service—whether done in the context of exhorting or comforting or beseeching—is designed specifically to prevent the one to whom he is “called alongside” from being “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” And since this is a moment-by-moment danger to the unwary, the ministry of exhortation (or comforting or entreating, as the need may be) is one which must be performed “daily, while it is called To day.” HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Stir Up (#19940715)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Yes, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (II Peter 1:13).

It is apparently rather easy, in this day of football games, rock concerts, and race riots, to get the emotions of a crowd all stirred up. The stirring of emotions can be either good or bad, of course, depending on the cause.

In our text, the apostle Peter says we need to be stirred up by our memories—that is, our remembrances of His “great and precious promises,” that we might be “partakers of the divine nature.” For “he that lacketh these things,” said Peter, “hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” and urgently needs “to have these things always in remembrance” (II Peter 1:4,9,15).

Something else needs to be stirred up, said Paul to Timothy. “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God” (II Timothy 1:6). Each believer has received certain gifts from God, but these need to be stirred up, and used both boldly and wisely for Christ.

Finally, Peter says that the purpose in writing both his epistles was to “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior” (II Peter 3:1,2). This was written especially for “the last days” (v.3), indicating that they should stir up, not their emotions, but their minds! To meet the critical needs of the last days, they should have their minds full of the Scriptures of both Old and New Testaments. These Scriptures should even be memorized, if possible, so they can be called up “by way of remembrance” whenever needed. The Holy Scriptures are simple enough to be received by a child, yet they can stir up our minds with their heights and depths, and will stir our hearts as well. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Four "be's" Of Christian (#19940716)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” (II Peter 3:1).

It is extremely important in these last days to be diligent in active awareness of our sobering responsibilities as Christians. Peter relates in his second epistle, chapter 3, four characteristics of the “be”ing Christian: “Beloved . . . BE mindful” (3:1,2): Be mindful of “the words which were spoken before”; that is, keep in your minds God’s word. Christians are admonished to “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” Don’t forget the word of God. The pure word will counteract the evil word of the scoffers (3:3,4) which, as defined here, are the evolutionary uniformitarians who deny that God has intervened on various occasions in the affairs of this world. “Beloved . . . BE not ignorant” (3:. As far as the Christian is concerned, there is no excuse for ignorance. The believer should not be ignorant of the Lord’s timetable (3:; the Lord’s salvation (3:9); nor the Day of the Lord (3:10–13). The contrast for the believer is the evolutionist who is “willingly ignorant” of the creation and the flood (3:5,6). “Beloved . . . BE diligent” (3:14): Diligence should be found in our upward look (3:14); our outward conduct (3:14); and our daily witnessing (3:15). “Beloved . . . BEware” (3:17): “Lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” The Christian who is not alert to the errors of the wicked is in constant danger of falling away. On the negative side, “Beware!” On the positive side, be ye holy (I Peter1:16); be ye steadfast (I Corinthians 15:58); be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). NPS

[Soldier4Christ]

Seeking Signs (#19940717)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39,40).

If there was ever “an evil and adulterous generation,” it is surely this present one and, once again, there is a widespread seeking after signs (same word in the Greek as “miracles”). The almost explosive rise of the so-called New Age movement has produced an amazing interest in all forms of occultism and supernatural phenomena: astrology, channeling, ESP, near-death experiences, UFO’s, meditation, and mysticism of many strange varieties.

Even in Christian circles, there is an unhealthy interest in new revelations and other supernatural signs. The Lord Jesus, however, rebuked those who wanted special signs before receiving Him. “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (John 4:48). He has already given us the greatest of all signs—His bodily resurrection from the dead, the best-evidenced fact of all history—and this should suffice, as He told the scribes and Pharisees in our text.

In fact, there is a real danger in seeking such signs and wonders, for many of these things—while perhaps supernatural—are not from God. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

We now have the complete written word of God, and it is sufficient for every need of the believer until Christ returns, “whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (II Peter 1:19). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Uniformitarianism (#19940718)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (II Peter 3:3,4).

Uniformitarianism is the modern name for the doctrine, prophesied long ago by Peter for those living in the last days, that “the present is the key to the past.” That is, the study of present-day natural processes (biological recombination, geological sedimentation, etc.) operating in the past as they do at present, are sufficient to determine the origin and development of all things. To them, no supernatural cause (such as God!) is needed. Even “creation” is still going on by these natural processes, since “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

This ancient prophecy, of course, is being specifically fulfilled in our modern “scientific” age. Synonyms for uniformitarianism might include such philosophies as naturalism, materialism, and evolutionism.

These concepts dominate modern education, even among most professing “Christians”: since there was no real supernatural creation, there will be no supernatural consummation, and all things continue as they were, so “Where is the promise of His coming?”

Peter, however, not only predicts this philosophy but also condemns it! “For this they willingly are ignorant of!” (v.5). That is, people who believe in the unbroken continuity of all things are willful in their refusal to consider the overwhelming evidences of dis-continuity, particularly at the times of the special creation of all things in the beginning and the cataclysmic destruction of all things at the great flood, when “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (v.6). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

He Shall Never See Death (#19940719)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, He shall never see death” (John 8:51).

This passage has been a difficult one for commentators. Most would interpret it to mean that a Christian will not experience spiritual death. While it is very true that a Christian—one who has been born twice (the second birth being a spiritual birth) will not experience spiritual death, in this passage, Jesus seems to be talking about physical death. This is evidenced by the fact that the Jewish skeptics around Christ called Him a heretic for saying it, since it was obvious that Abraham and the other prophets had died physically. Christ did not correct them by clarifying His words to mean spiritual death. Despite the fact that the grave is full of those who physically died while believing in Christ, He teaches that His followers will “never see death.”

Actually, the Greek is very emphatic here. The combination of words could be literally translated, “He shall absolutely not see (physical) death, never.” Perhaps Christ is teaching that a believer will never see real death, since, to such a one, death is in reality only “sleep.”

But perhaps the key to understanding this teaching might be in the word “see.” What does this mean? Several Greek words are translated by the English word “see,” but this one merits special study. It implies a look that is more than indifferent, but one of pondering; intensely interested; preoccupied; and fully acquainted with its object.

A Christian, therefore, will not “see” death with such interest, for His attention will not be on death’s terrors, but upon the One who Himself bore all that death had to offer, yet conquered it forever. A Christian can look even at his own approaching death calmly, with passive interest, for it holds little influence over him. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (I Corinthians 15:55). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

He Who Made The Stars (#19940720)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is His name” (Amos 5:.

This striking exhortation is inserted in the midst of a prophetic rebuke by God of His people Israel. They were rapidly drifting into pagan idolatry, and Amos was trying to call them back.

His exhortation, given almost 3800 years ago, is more needed today than it ever was before. Modern pagan scientists have developed elaborate but absurdly impossible theories about the chance origin of the universe from nothing, and the evolution of stars, planets, and people from primordial hydrogen. But the mighty cosmos and its galaxies of stars—even the very constellations, such as Orion and the Pleiades (the “seven stars”), as well as the solar system—were made. All of these had to be made by an omniscient, omnipotent Creator, who certainly had a glorious purpose for it all.

Similarly, the global evidences that waters once covered all the earth’s mountains (i.e., marine fossils and water-laid sediments at their summits) cannot possibly be explained—as evolutionary geologists try to do—by slow processes acting over aeons of time. God, the Creator, had to call massive volumes of water forth from their original reservoirs and pour them out on the earth in His flood judgment on a rebellious world.

All of these witness to the fact of creation and judgment, not to impotent “gods” personifying natural forces. Men urgently need to seek the true God of creation and salvation before judgment falls again, for “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30). HMM