A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Election (#19950727)
by Robert Radford

“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world . . .” (Ephesians 1:4)

This doctrine of election has disturbed many over the centuries of church history. The problem seems to come from using our own finite logic rather than realizing that this is a part of the infinite mind and wisdom of God.

What the psalmist spoke of concerning the natural body of man could also apply to the mystical body of Christ, which is the church (Psalm 139:15,16). The psalm reads, “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members are written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” The substance of the church was to be formed under the eye of God in the decree of election. Though this body was not yet complete, it was shaped into members of the mystical body. The names of the individuals in this body, the church, are all written in the Book of Life, and in the great purpose of God, there they will remain for eternity. Through the whole course of time, every believer is fashioned into the part of the body designed for him.

We see this same pattern of election in the creation of the world. God first created the mass (Genesis 1:1). “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” The next verse declares, the unfinished “earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Then appeared all of the rest of creation finished in six days.

In like manner, from the mass of humanity appears the mystical body which is the church. So instead of resisting this glorious doctrine, let us grasp it and believe it, whether or not we fully comprehend it. RRR

[Soldier4Christ]

The Divine/human World (#19950728)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1,2).

The title of the word of God is given both to Jesus Christ as the Living Word (John 1:1–3; Revelation 19:13), and to the Holy Scriptures as the Written Word (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; etc.). They are so perfectly synchronous that what is said of one can usually be applied also to the other.

Both are human, yet without error; both are divine, yet can be comprehended by man. “God was manifest in the flesh” (I Timothy 3:16). “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21). “In Him is no sin” (I John 3:5), “The Scripture cannot be broken,” and “All Scripture . . . is profitable” (John 10:35; II Timothy 3:16).

Furthermore, each is eternal: “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).

Each brings regeneration and everlasting life to all those who believe. “He saved us, by the washing of regeneration . . . through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5). “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (I John 5:11). “Being born again . . . by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23). “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

Finally, judgment comes by both Christ and the Scriptures. “The Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). “The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books” (Revelation 20:12). Both Christ and the Bible are vitally important to each Christian and must be studied, understood, known, loved, trusted, and relied upon in every human endeavor. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Countenance Of The Lord (#19950729)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24–26).

This is the priestly blessing pronounced upon the people of Israel by Aaron the high priest. The climax of the blessing is a beautiful reference to the Lord’s countenance and its power. When God’s countenance is lifted up in grace upon us, He gives perfect peace of soul.

It can bring great joy, “Thou hast made Him exceeding glad with thy countenance” (Psalm 21:6). In times of despair, His countenance gives sustenance. “Why art thou cast down, o my soul? . . . I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (Psalm 42:5).

In times of confusion, His countenance will illumine the way. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance” (Psalm 89:15). But it will also reveal our hidden sins. “Thou has set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance” (Psalm 90:. As far as the wicked are concerned, however, “the face [same Hebrew word as ‘countenance’] of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psalm 34:16).

Now no one can actually see the face of the Lord in His divine essence, for, as God told Moses, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20). Such passages must be understood as the “presence of the LORD,” for this also is a proper translation of the same word. Or perhaps some could even refer to pre-incarnate appearances of Christ, for God can surely “give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

A Statute And An Ordinance (#19950730)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day” (I Samuel 30:24–25).

During the years prior to Saul’s death, David had become something of a renegade, exiled from Israel, facing certain death should he return. Other Jewish outcasts joined him in exile, and together they kept peace in the countryside. Once, upon returning from a foray, they found their homes had been ransacked and their wives and children captured. During the pursuit, one third of his men, already weary from prolonged travel and fighting, could go no farther. The rest continued and God gave a marvelous victory, complete with rescue of their families and the taking of great spoil.

This sudden wealth gave occasion for “the wicked men” who had participated in the fighting to greedily hoard their spoil and not share with their comrades who had stayed behind. But David ruled that the spoils were to be shared. Similar distributions had taken place under Moses (Numbers 31:11–27) and Joshua (22:1–8), but here David established an ongoing principle.

This incident is not just of historical significance. In times of war, those who keep the home front strong are no less important than those who carry the battle to the front lines. A loss is a loss for both, and likewise a victory.

The same is true for missions work, or any work of the church. Those who go must be sent; without the senders, no one could go (Romans 10:14,15). As a result, we all share in the victories. “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor . . . but God hath tempered the body together that the members should have the same care one for another” (I Corinthians 12:23–25). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Feast Of Dedication (#19950731)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch” (John 10:22,23).

This is the only reference in the Bible to this particular festival, but the Greek word used for it is a translation of the Hebrew chanukkah. The Jews even today call it the Hanukkah holiday. It was established as such about 165 B.C. when the Maccabeans defeated the Syrian army under Antiochus Epiphanes, who had invaded their land and desecrated the temple at Jerusalem, sacrificing a pig on its altar.

The altar was then purified and rededicated to the Lord; ever since, the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, has been observed by God-fearing Jews in commemoration thereof. The Lord Jesus, in effect, indicated His own approval by walking in the temple on that day.

The Hanukkah Festival is also called “the Feast of Lights,” at least since about the time of Christ, as the Jewish historian Josephus so indicated. The lights spoke of the rejoicing of the people at the re-entrance of God’s light into His darkened temple. It is observed in the winter-time, on the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev, roughly corresponding to our December.

In the fullness of time, God sent His true temple and His true light into the world, for “God was in Christ” (II Corinthians 5:19), just as He had dwelt in His temple, and He was “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). When Jesus “walked in the temple” on that winter’s day long ago, He foreshadowed the coming New Jerusalem when “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And . . . the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:22, 23). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Enlightened Understanding (#19950801)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power” (Ephesians 1:18,19).

Surely every true Christian would earnestly desire an enlightened understanding of such marvelous concepts as the hope we receive by God’s calling, the glorious inheritance we share with Christ, and the working of His infinite power in and through us, but how do we acquire such an understanding? It is certainly not by some ethereal flash of illumination while in mystic meditation, nor is it by a course of intellectual exercises.

It can only be through the Holy Scriptures where all these great truths have been revealed indelibly in written form for all who will read them and believe. However, just reading the Scriptures is not enough in itself. They must be read lovingly and diligently and prayerfully, in dependence upon the internal guidance of God the Holy Spirit, for it was He who inspired and authenticated their writing in the first place.

This, in fact, is the very burden of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for his readers, in the verses just preceding our text: “Wherefore I also . . . making mention of you in my prayers, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 2:15-17).

Thus, as it was promised long ago: “if thou wilt receive my words . . . so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; . . . Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1,2,5). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Price of Freedom
July 4, 2006

"And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born" (Acts 22:28).

The privilege of being a freeborn Roman citizen was indeed a life-saving circumstance to Paul in his defense before the Jewish mob trying to kill him there in Jerusalem (Acts 22:30) when he returned from his third missionary journey. He had used his citizenship status at least once before to get out of prison in Philippi (Acts 16:37-40). His Roman citizenship was indeed a great asset at that time.

But that was only a type of the wonderful position we have as citizens of heaven. When Paul later wrote to the Christians at Philippi, and reminded them that "our conversation is in heaven," the word he used actually was politeumus, literally meaning "citizenship."

And that status is one of true freedom from the power of sin in our lives as well as the fear of death and judgment when we meet God. "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).

In this country, we celebrate this annual holiday as Independence Day, remembering our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and a despotic king. We especially thank God for freedom of religion--our freedom to believe and teach all the great truths of the Bible, a liberty which we must cherish and guard, for it is under constant attack by unbelievers. But we must also remember to "use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh" (Galatians 5:13). Liberty is not license.

As citizens of heaven, "we are ambassadors for Christ" here on Earth (II Corinthians 5:20), with our fundamental duty that of urging men to "in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

[Soldier4Christ]

Greetings


"Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness" (Titus 1:1).

In New Testament times it was common to begin one's letter to a friend with a salutation such as this, which usually identified the writer and the reader and then gave personal greetings.

Contrary to his normal practice, Paul spends the first three verses of this four-verse greeting speaking about himself, but he places the emphasis not on his own authority, but on the nature of the message which he has been given.

First, in designating his position as writer, Paul refers to himself as a "servant" (literally, "slave") of God. His will had been voluntarily surrendered to do his Master's will. Next, he identifies himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ," commissioned by Him to represent Him and His revelation. He then defines his apostleship as being in agreement with the message to which the elect have responded, and the "acknowledging [literally, 'advanced knowledge'] of the truth which is after godliness."

Next, Paul claims that his message is not a new doctrine, but has its past, present, and future aspects. It was "promised before the world began" (v.2) by God, who has in the present been proclaiming "His word through preaching" (v.3). Furthermore, his apostolic calling is "In [literally, 'resting on'] hope of eternal life" (v.2).

Paul then claims the message as his own, "committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Savior" (v.3).

In a very real sense, this same message is now committed to us. Our knowledge of the truth and need for faith are at least as great; our call to submission and godliness equally serious. May God grant us the same level of commitment to the gospel and its propagation as that of Paul.

[Soldier4Christ]

Seeking Worshipers (#19950802)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him” (John 4:23).

Here is an amazing revelation—that the omnipotent God of creation should actually be seeking those among His creatures who would freely come to love and worship Him! How could He possibly have to seek anything?

Yet Jesus said He does! In some inscrutable way, it satisfies the infinite heart of God when we respond to His sacrificial love in gratitude and worship.

We see this also in the experience of the ten lepers. All ten had been cleansed of their leprosy, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks to Jesus. Note the wistfulness in Jesus’ reply to the cleansed leper: “Were there not ten cleansed?” He asked, “But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger” (Luke 17:17,18). The Lord indeed takes note both of the few who truly appreciate Him and also of the many who take His blessings for granted.

In the house of Simon the Pharisee, for example, the Lord Jesus took special note of the woman who washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, anointing them with the precious ointment in her alabaster box. But He also noted that self-righteous, critical Simon had provided no such services at all. Then He said: “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” (Luke 7:47).

Whether or not we fully understand, the Lord does seek those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Therefore, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Mind Links (#19950803)
by Kenneth B. Cumming, Ph.D.

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

Here we have a unique link between the spiritual and material domains; it is said to be only by faith that we can understand about this transaction. Faith in turn is defined in a previous verse as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (v.1). So here we receive information about a spiritual act giving rise to a physical phenomenon in a way that we could not know by objective inquiry. Only God can reveal this information to us, and He has done just that in Scripture.

Notice that the framing (structuring) of the creation came from God’s words. Of course, modern science has shown that matter and energy are interchangeable in some situations, and maybe God used such a mechanism. Somehow spiritual words were translated into the material realm. Such cause and effect implies that the source has to be greater than the product. An idea in God’s mind, when effected as speech, was transformed immediately into the space-mass-time universe.

This is somewhat similar to a telephone signal coming into a receiver, which activates a machine to switch on the tape recorder, gives a prerecorded message, awaits a response, and hangs up. A suitable stimulus creates a sequence of events that captures the activity on a permanent storage device.

Finally, Paul clarifies what the nature of this transaction has been; spiritual things can be interchanged with visible things. He goes on in the rest of the chapter to illustrate the power of this faith in executing unusual results. We have an incredible access to this transit system through “Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (12:2). KBC

[Soldier4Christ]

The Heart Of Our Understanding (#19950804)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men” (I Corinthians 14:20).

The wise man wrote long ago: “With all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). However, we need to be sure that the understanding we acquire is not perverted by the spirit of this world. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he emphasized the contrast between a darkened understanding and a spiritually illuminated understanding.

“Walk not as other Gentiles walk,” he exhorted, “in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:17,18). A blinded heart produces a darkened understanding.

Paul prayed, rather, that God would give them “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17,18). We need an understanding enlightened by the Holy Spirit, not darkened by a hardened heart.

By the same token, as our text commands, we should seek to attain a mature understanding of the things of God, not remaining stagnant at the elementary level of understanding. It is dishonoring to the Lord who called us into His family to remain spiritual children. We should exhibit the faith of a little child, and be as free from malice as a little child, but in understanding we must grow! “For when . . . ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again . . . the first principles of the oracles of God . . . who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12,14). “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). In understanding, be men! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Recognizing The Son Of God (#19950805)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (II Peter 1:17).

Most people today consider Jesus Christ to have been a great man, but will not believe He is the unique Son of God. Nevertheless, He is indeed God’s only begotten Son.

Before His birth, the angel Gabriel predicted it. “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). John the Baptist identified Him: “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34). His disciples recognized Him. “Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God” (John 1:49). “Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). John said that the very purpose of his gospel was to demonstrate “That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). After Christ’s resurrection, even Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

The powers of darkness grudgingly acknowledged who He was. “And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God!” (Mark 3:11). Even the centurion who supervised His crucifixion had to confess: “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). Most important of all was the testimony of God the Father from heaven to Christ’s Sonship, both at His baptism (e.g., Mark 1:11) and on the Mount of Transfiguration as Peter records in our text.

Therefore it is necessary for our salvation that we also believe this. “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Things We Know (#19950806)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (I Peter 5:4).

In these days of relativism, situational ethics, and changing mores, it does a Christian good to note the many things in Scripture we can know, things we can count on, things that do not change. Following is a sampling of such truths, with little comment, intended to encourage the reader to extend the list, perhaps as an ongoing project.

We can know that Christ is God: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).

We can know that we are saved: “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).

We can know we are His dear children: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (I John 3:2).

We can know of His protection: “And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

We can know He answers prayer: “If ye ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14).

We can know He will help us through temptation: “In that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

We can know how we should act: “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done” (John 13:15).

We can know He desires us to speak on His behalf: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you . . .” (I Peter 3:15).

We can know that He will come again: “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

We can know of our eternal rewards, as in our text: “An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Honest Use Of Scripture (#19950807)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mark 7:13).

Jesus uttered these sharp words of rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees, who had encumbered the plain teachings of Scripture with numerous “interpretations” which enabled them to ignore whatever teachings they found inconvenient. The Lord Jesus Himself always took the Scriptures literally and as of divine authority, and so should we.

Furthermore, He taught that every word was true and authoritative: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). He also said that “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

Skeptics may pose certain difficulties in the Bible, evolutionists may ridicule its account of creation, and sinners in general may try to wriggle away from its moral constraints, but the scripture cannot be broken! Jesus said: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). He Himself is the living Word of God, and we dare not tamper with the written word inspired by the Holy Spirit. Christ, of course, could and did in some cases extend and apply the Old Testament Scriptures, because He Himself was their author, but He never questioned their factuality or literal accuracy, and neither should we.

Nevertheless, many modern “Christian” intellectuals and cultists are following in the example of the Pharisees, rather than that of Christ, “wresting” the Scriptures for their gain but “unto their own destruction” (II Peter 3:16). God has spoken plainly in His word. It is our responsibility to believe and do what He says. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Degrees Of Faith (#19950808)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And He said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith” (Deuteronomy 32:20).

There is a broad spectrum of faith exhibited today among men. Some have no faith in the true God at all (like the apostate Israelites mentioned in our text) to whom God finally would say: “Of the rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee” (Deuteronomy 32:18). There are many such in our present “froward generation” as well, men and women who have forgotten their Creator.

There are some, however, like the woman “which was a sinner,” but who came to Jesus in tearful repentance, who receive a saving faith. To such as these, Jesus says: “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:37,50).

Among those disciples who profess such saving faith but who still have little spiritual discernment or maturity, Christ’s rebuke was: “O ye of little faith!” (Matthew 16:. Similarly, Paul speaks of the danger of being “weak in faith” (Romans 4:19).

How much better it is to be among those described by James: “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith?” (James 2:5). Then there was Abraham who “was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20,21). Similarly, Stephen was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5).

How tragic it will be for those who have no faith to know eternally that God has hidden His face from them. For those who have only a weak faith or little faith, there may be salvation, but little more. How much better to have had Abraham’s strong faith or the full faith of Stephen, when we meet the Lord. HMM