A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Permission


"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

The High Priest of Israel wore the inscription "holiness to the Lord" to illustrate to all who obeyed God that they were "accepted before the Lord" (Exodus 28:36-38). Joshua, as a type of all believers, was granted "places to walk" in the courts of God (Zechariah 3:7). Christ's disciples were commanded to "ask" the Father for "whatsoever," since they were chosen and ordained to "bring forth fruit" (John 15:16). We have permission to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7).

But there is more! Not only are we accepted, we are "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13), an "earnest [down payment, deposit] of our inheritance" (v.14). We are "stablished . . . anointed . . . sealed" (II Cor-inthians 1:21-22).

We are "confirmed" in everything (I Corinthians 1:4-8), consecrated and sanctified to serve (Exodus 28:41; I John 2:27), and given the "earnest of the Spirit" (II Corinthians 5:5) to empower our ministry.

The Holy Spirit does His work through a three-fold ministry in our lives. He will work on Christ's behalf, through our witness, to bring conviction to those not yet in Christ (John 16:7-11). He will also minister to us as the teacher of our spirits to guide us into all truth (John 16:13; 14:17,26; 15:26).

Furthermore, the wisdom, prudence, and knowledge of God are revealed to us through His work in us (I Corinthians 2:9-10). All that is necessary for our "effectual working" (Ephesians 3:7) is "graced" to us so that we can "work out salvation" (Philippians 2:12). We are "complete in Him" (Colossians 2:10).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Possibilities


". . . may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened . . ." (Ephesians 1:17-18).

The "spirit of wisdom" is applied to a wide variety of circumstances. It certainly includes leadership (Deuteronomy 34:9).

But wisdom is also identified with the ability to make beautiful clothing (Exodus 28:3) and to engineer and invent complex equipment (31:2-6). Daniel was said to have "an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts" (Daniel 5:12). We are even promised that our "adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" (Luke 21:15).

A "spirit of revelation" is also made available to us. This revelation (literally, "to take off the cover") is not new doctrine or truth. Revelation is implemented by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 2:10), having the source of His revelatory work from Jesus Christ on behalf of Christ (John 16:13-15).

The Greek language of the phrase, "The eyes of understanding being enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18), could be translated, "the vision of your deep thought will be made to shine" . . . or paraphrased in a more colloquial expression, "the light comes on!"

There are three specific enlightenments cited here: the hope of our calling (see Romans 15:13-14), the riches of the glory of our inheritance (11:33-36), and the exceeding greatness of His power exercised on our behalf (Ephesians 3:20; 6:10).

Each of these three are specifically designed by God to undergird our faith and embolden our confidence, even though we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Power


"And . . . the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe . . ." (Ephesians 1:19).

The power of the tri-une Creator, as displayed in the resurrection of Christ, is directed toward us! We can be certain that we will never fully comprehend that, but the Scriptures provide several clear statements that will help us get some usable grasp on this resource:

(1) We receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on us (Acts 1:. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer (John 14:17; I Corinthians 6:19) and is therefore readily accessible to all believers (Ephesians 3:20).

(2) We use the power of God every time we preach the gospel (Romans 1:16; I Corinthians 1:18), whether to one person or to thousands.

(3) We learn of the power of God through "great and precious promises" (II Peter 1:3-4). Indeed, those promises involve "all things that pertain to life and godliness."

(4) We see the results of the power of God in our lives when our characters reflect "all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11).

The Lord desires "that might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:19) and "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (v.16). The purpose of this empowering is to be "Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith" (Colossians 2:7), "able to comprehend . . . the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know [!] the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19).

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (vv.20-21).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Parentage

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).

There are three descriptions of what we were prior to God's work in us, as described in the second chapter of Ephesians, and as listed below: We were "dead in trespasses and sins [character, attitude, condition]." The result was that we were unable to understand or seek God on our own (Romans 3:10-11). Nor are we able to know the "things of God" by our own intellectual prowess (I Corinthians 2:14). "We walked according to the course of this world" (Ephesians 2:2), in "bondage" to the world (Galatians 4:3), and with the eyes of our minds "blinded" by Satan (II Corinthians 4:4). We are "by nature the children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). Both our natural desires (5:5-6) and our willful unbelief (John 3:36) have placed us under the ever-increasing wrathful judgment of God (Romans 2:5-9).

The transformation performed by God on us can only be "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10). It involves God's rich "mercy" and "great love" (v.4) to make us alive when we were dead (see John 5:21-24; Romans 6:4-6, 9-11).

That power "raises" us and "seats" us with God "positionally" in the heavens (Ephesians 2:6). That "grace" is effected through faith, and even "that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (vv.8-9).

Whatever all of these promises may ultimately involve, they assure us of permanent status as the chosen, holy ones of God (Romans 8:29-39), "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Partnership

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).

Prior to salvation, we are called "aliens . . . and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (v.12). "But now . . ." (v.13) we are part of the "new man" (v.15) and the grand partnership that has been made possible between Jew and Gentile, Old and New Covenant saints, and the operative impact and purpose of the "household of God" (v.19).

We are "made nigh" and made "one." The enemy has been "abolished," with the "middle wall of partition" that was between us broken down (vv.13-15), making us "one body," with common "access by one Spirit unto the Father" (vv.16-18).

Therefore, we are "fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God . . . built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets"; "fitly framed," growing unto a "holy temple . . . for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (vv.19-22). Now displayed in a fellowship of past and present, bond and free, male and female -- all new "partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (3:1-6; Galatians 3:22-29).

And God has "created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (vv.9-11).

God has designed His salvation for us in such a way that we cannot fail to achieve His plans for us! We should humbly thank Him for what He has accomplished in us through Christ Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

God and the Nations

"Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing" (Isaiah 40:15).

God has a divine purpose for nations, as shown by the fact that there will even be "nations of them which are saved" (Revelation 21:24) in the new Earth, outside the New Jerusalem. Nations were evidently first established after the dispersion at Babel when God forced the original post-Flood families to separate and to establish their own distinctive communities by confusing their languages (Genesis 11:9).

It thus has been natural and useful (in God's economy) for each nation to develop a sense of national pride and patriotic loyalty. However, this has often been corrupted into militant expansionism or ethnic idolatry, and God has eventually had to put them down. Nations need to remember that they are really "a very little thing" in God's sight, as a drop in a bucket or the fine dust on a scale. He "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation" (Acts 17:26). Job testified back in the early days of the world's nations: "He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again" (Job 12:23). No matter how powerful and self-reliant (or how weak and dependent) a nation may seem to be, "the kingdom is the Lord's: and He is the governor among the nations" (Psalm 22:28).

Therefore, if a nation desires that its "time before appointed" be long and fruitful, and "the bounds of its habitation" be the optimum for its divine mission, it must be careful to honor and serve the true God of heaven, for "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God," while "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (9:17; 33:12).

[Soldier4Christ]

Let Him Hear


"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15).

The Lord Jesus Christ must have considered this exhortation to be of great importance, for it appears eight times in the four gospels and seven times in Revelation, all as spoken by Christ Himself -- as well as one more time apparently uttered by John (Revelation 13:9). It is urgent, therefore, that people not just "hear" God's Word with their ears ("in one ear and out the other," as the saying goes), but really hear it, with understanding minds and believing hearts and obedient lives.

It is most important, first of all, for unsaved men and women to respond to the gospel message in this way. Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). Hearing this message with believing minds and hearts means all the difference between heaven and hell.

But that's just the beginning. Jesus also said: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (10:27-28). He not only promised us everlasting life when we first heard His voice, but also assures us that this life is truly everlasting, and can never be taken away from us, as we continue to hear His voice in His Word.

Not only everlasting life, but resurrection life! "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth" "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise. . . : and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (5:28; I Thessalonians 4:16-17). He that hath ears, let him hear!

[Soldier4Christ]

We Soon Fly Away


"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night" (Psalm 90:4).

In this unique psalm, Moses is stressing the brevity of even the longest human life with the everlasting nature of God. In the pre-Flood world, men were able to live many hundreds of years, but no one ever lived as long as 1,000 years. By Moses' time, the typical life-span was 70 or 80 years (v.10), much the same as today. Moses lived to age 120, but he was twice as old as most of his contemporaries when he finally died (note Numbers 14:29,34; Deuteronomy 34:7).

Moses, therefore, was profoundly impressed with the ephemeral nature of a person's time on Earth. Even if someone had lived a thousand years, this was only a little while in God's sight, and his life would soon "fly away" (Psalm 90:10) and be forgotten.

There is nothing in this passage, incidentally, or in II Pe-ter 3:8 ("one day is with the Lord as a thousand years") to justify the misinterpretation that attributes billions of years to God's Creation Week. In context (and one must always be sensitive to the context if he wants to understand any passage of Scripture), neither Moses nor Peter were referring to the Creation Week at all. Moses was stressing the brevity of human life, even that of the antediluvians, while Peter was rebuking the latter-day uniformitarians who would come denying the catastrophic effects of the great Flood. It is too bad that so many Christians are willing to distort Scripture like this in order to accommodate the imaginary ages of evolution.

The message we should really get from this Mosaic observation is the application He Himself makes. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12)!

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Presence in Flood and Flame

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2).

Although this tremendous promise is primarily to be understood in a spiritual sense (deliverance through overflowing sorrows and fiery trials), God has demonstrated His ability to fulfill the spiritual aspects of the promise by its miraculous literal fulfillment in the physical realm, on special occasions. The crossing of the Red Sea by the children of Israel is an obvious example of safe passage through deep waters.

The amazing experience of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace is the most spectacular example of deliverance from burning. As the three emerged unscathed from the "exceeding hot" flames, the king was astounded when he "saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them" (Daniel 3:27).

The entire world once was caused to pass through the Flood and one day must be destroyed by the fire (II Peter 3:6,10), but "eight souls were saved by water" (I Peter 3:20) as the Flood carried them safely away in Noah's Ark from the violent world of the antediluvians, and all those truly trusting in Christ will be "saved; yet so as by fire" (I Corinthians 3:15) when He comes again.

These great experiences of the past and promises of the future assure us that God is able to deliver us through the deep waters and burning trials of this present life. "That the trial of your faith, . . . though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:7).

[Soldier4Christ]

Joint Heirs with Christ

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17).

Modern-day humanists and unbelievers take great sport in belittling Christians, but despite their estimate, and even despite whatever humble view Christians may entertain of themselves, the fact remains that the Bible clearly declares believers to possess a position of preeminent standing and blessing.

Consider the wondrous fact that we as believers are "children of God." "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). We are His offspring, for "according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again" (I Peter 1:3). As His children, we even look like Him, in a spiritual sense, "partakers of the divine nature" (II Peter 1:4), and His Fatherly love surrounds us.

Furthermore, we are the inheritors of all good things, just as a human child can expect to inherit from his or her human father. Christ is the Son of God, but He is also "the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29). Our inheritance is nothing less than God Himself: all that He is and has is ours, and we will share it all with Christ, our elder brother. "The glory which thou gavest me I have given them " (John 17:22).

This standing and privilege is ours, but we must not forget it is ours as a result of His doing, not our own worth, lest we become prideful. Nevertheless, it is ours. So let us believe it, accept it, and present it in such a way that others will want to share in it.

[Soldier4Christ]

A Call for Action

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom"(Luke 23:42).

The thief on the cross who prayed for Jesus to remember him, was obviously in a desperate situation. His sufferings were great; he was about to die; he was facing eternity. The other malefactor was only interested in being saved physically. "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us" (v.39). The repentant thief was more interested in his eternal soul, thus his call for action, "remember me." His prayer was immediately answered, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (v.43). This is a great illustration of the spiritual truth of Romans 10:13, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (also, Joel 2:32).

How comforting it is to know that God will always remember those who are truly His. In fact, that which previously barred us from the presence of God, our sin, has been removed. "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 10:17; Jeremiah 31:34). "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).

Old Testament Israel at one time thought that God had totally forgotten her. "But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me." God answered, "Can a woman forget her sucking child . . . ? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:14-16).

Whether then or now, God will always remember His own. "And a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels" (Malachi 3:16-17). "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance" (Psalm 112:6).

[Soldier4Christ]

Working by Faith

"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first" (Matthew 20:.

This parable has long caused perplexity, not only among the workers in the parable, but also among readers ever since. Why would the Lord teach that wages paid for a given type of work should be the same for one hour's work as for twelve? His only explanation was that it was the owner's right to do what he wanted with his own money, and that "the last shall be first, and the first last" (v.16).

He also pointed out to the complaining workmen that he had completely fulfilled his contract with them. Early in the morning, this group of laborers had negotiated their own terms with him, and "he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day" (v.2). Those he hired later in the day had said nothing at all about pay, and willing to trust the lord of the vineyard to treat them fairly. This most probably means that the owner had first approached the early morning workers on the same basis, but they were unwilling to work without a contract, negotiated on their own terms.

This is the difference. The first group insisted on a firm contract, and the owner therefore insisted on honoring it. The others worked by faith, trusting in the lord of the vineyard, knowing him to be a man of integrity and justice. Furthermore, they would have been willing to work all day long on this same basis, but they had no opportunity. They needed the job, and the owner, knowing their needs and their willing hearts, decided to pay them on the basis of what they would have done, had they had the opportunity.

In any case, the parable surely teaches us that our heavenly rewards are not based on quantity of services rendered, but on quality, with full account taken of opportunities, motivation, and trust in the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Beware of Balaam

"O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from gotcha2tim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord" (Micah 6:5).

Three New Testament writers have left us sober warnings concerning Balaam. Peter warned against "the way of Balaam"; Jude, against "the error of Balaam"; and John, against "the doctrine of Balaam" (II Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14). God evidently considers these warnings necessary and appropriate for Christians even today. Yet Balaam, in his day, was a genuine prophet (note II Peter 2:16), possessed great knowledge concerning God, and even received direct revelations from God. What, therefore, were his way, his error, and his doctrine?

"The way of Balaam" was a readiness to prostitute his high spiritual gifts and privileges for "the wages of unrighteousness" (v.15); being willing to preach something contrary to God's word for personal gain.

"The error of Balaam" was evidently his willingness to compromise his own standards of morality and truth in order "greedily" to accommodate those of his pagan patrons (Jude 11). Finally, "the doctrine of Balaam," which even in John's day was already infiltrating the church, was to use his own teaching authority to persuade God's people that it was all right for them also to compromise their standards, even "to commit fornication" (Revelation 2:14) with their idol-worshiping enemies.

The notoriously corrupt state of much that is counterfeiting true Christian ministry today is clear evidence that those warnings against "Balaam-ism" are still urgently needed. No wonder Micah (the faithful prophet) urged God's people to "remember" Balaam and his tragic end (Numbers 31:.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Hallelujah Psalms
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul" (Psalm 146:1).

The last five chapters in the book of Psalms (146-150) comprise what might be considered a great "Hallalujah Chorus" to this "Hallel" book -- the "book of Israel's praises," as the book of Psalms was called by the Israelites.

Each psalm in this five-psalm group both begins and ends with an exclamatory "Praise ye the Lord," or, in the Hebrew, "Hallelujah!" This word, Hallelujah, occurs 22 times in the book of Psalms. This is significant in that the Hebrew language has just 22 letters, suggesting to us that the very purpose of language is for God to reveal His Word to man and for man then to respond with thanksgiving and praise to God.

It is further significant that the letters of the Greek language in the New Testament begin with "alpha" and end with "omega," and that Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, has reminded us that "I am Alpha and Omega" (Revelation 1:11; 22:13). The Greek word "Alleluia" occurs just four times in the New Testament, all at the great congregation in heaven that will assemble at the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (19:1-6,9). This may also well be what is called "the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23).

There, along with "an innumerable company of angels," all the redeemed saints of all the ages will gather to rejoice and to give thanks and to "Praise our God, all ye His servants" (Revelation 19:5). It seems possible - even probable - that these five Hallelujah psalms will constitute the testimonies of praise and thanksgiving that will be sung by this great congregation there in the presence of the Lamb. The book of Psalms then closes with the great exhortation: "Let every thing that hath breath [or `Spirit'] praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord" (Psalm 150:6). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Everything We Need


"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (II Peter 1:3).

In His wisdom and grace, God has seen to it that we have everything we need to produce "life and godliness." "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (v.4). This all-sufficient tool is, of course, the written Word of God, much of which came through the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who in turn claimed it came from God the Father: "For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me" (John 17:.

Furthermore, the written Word is the source of our faith and the only hope of salvation. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). This Word in which our faith is grounded is forever alive, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (I Peter 1:23), and not to be altered, edited, or supplemented. "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life" (Revelation 22:18-19).

Rather, we must live by the words of this book: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

To ensure that the "great and precious promises" regarding "life and godliness" are ours, we must believe, guard, and follow the teachings of this book. "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 1:13).