A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

A Little Flock
 
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32)
 
The world tends to measure success by size, and this seems generally true in the Christian world as well. The most "successful" churches are considered to be those with the largest congregations, or the largest budgets, or the greatest number of converts baptized each year, or some other quantitative index. But this is not God's criterion. At the judgment seat of Christ, "the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3:13). Not how big it is, but of what sort it is! Quality, not quantity, is the criterion.
 
Christ's encouraging words to the "little flock" were given towards the end of an extended warning against the desire to accumulate wealth. "Take heed, and beware of covetousness," He had said (Luke 12:15), speaking to His small group of followers. He was their Shepherd and would provide the needs of His "little flock."
 
Christ's warnings against individual covetousness evidently apply also to group covetousness. A church, or any other Christian organization, needs continually to guard against the desire to be impressive in the eyes of the world. The cities of Christendom exhibit many ornate cathedrals and temples that are now mostly empty and spiritually dead.
 
The Lord Jesus promised an "open door" to the little church at Philadelphia, because it had "little strength" and had "kept |His| word" (Revelation 3:8), but threatened to "spue . . . out of |His| mouth" the tepid church at Laodicea, which was boasting that she was "rich, and increased with goods" (Revelation 3:16-17). Not every "little flock" has kept God's Word, nor has every big flock become lukewarm, but Christ's words serve as both warning and encouragement. The greater blessings of the coming kingdom have been promised to the faithful "little flock." HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Worship of Idols and Demons
 
"They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not." (Deuteronomy 32:17)
 
This terrible indictment was in the farewell song of Moses, written just before the tribes of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land. Perhaps Moses was thinking mainly of the golden calf fashioned by Aaron, who had told the people: "These be thy gods, O Israel" (Exodus 32:4).
 
Aaron and the people certainly knew that the man-made calf was not "gods," but they knew that there were many invisible spirit beings in the world and that these "devils" (actually fallen angels) could indwell images made by men as objects of worship. These evil spirits do possess certain powers, which can be used to impress their worshippers with the magical insights and abilities of the images.
 
This was also a problem in the early church. Paul warned his converts at Corinth: "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils" (1 Corinthians 10:20). John's closing word to his own flock was: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).
 
And it is a serious problem today--not only in those lands where images and animalistic spirits abound, but even in the "Christian" West, both in the proliferating New Age cults and in those "mainline" churches that have diluted sound Bible teaching with humanism and ritualistic pantheism. And remember, too, that "covetousness" (that is, coveting money, or power, or anything more than the will of God) "is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). When the prince of these devils himself sought the worship of Jesus, the Lord answered: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10). We need to remember and follow His example. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Eternal Flame
 
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out." (Leviticus 6:13)
 
The so-called "eternal flame" at the tomb of former President John Kennedy will surely eventually be extinguished. The same proved to be true for the continual burnt offering ordained by God in Israel's ancient tabernacle sacrifices. The continual sacrifices for sin were of no more avail, once God's own sacrifice had been slain. "Every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; . . . For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:11-12, 14).
 
There is one flame, however, which is truly eternal. Jesus spoke of it several times. For example: "It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched" (Mark 9:43). "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Then, in the last book of the Bible describing the final judgment, "the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. . . . And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:10, 15).
 
But there is also another symbolic significance to the continual burnt offering: "Did not our heart burn within us, . . . while he opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:32). "His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones" (Jeremiah 20:9). "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually" (Hebrews 13:15). Set on fire by the Word of God and the love of Christ, our hearts should burn with His praises continually. HMM

[HisDaughter]

There is one flame, however, which is truly eternal. Jesus spoke of it several times. For example: "It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched" (Mark 9:43).

AMEN to THAT!

[Soldier4Christ]

No Night There
 
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:23)
 
This description is of the holy city, which someday will come down from God out of heaven to be established on the new earth when "the first earth" will have "passed away" (Revelation 21:1). Note also that "there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light" (Revelation 22:5).There will be no need for night there, for no one will ever need to sleep. The residents of the city will have glorified bodies, like that of their Redeemer (see Philippians 3:21).
 
That all sounds wonderful, but there does seem at first to be a contradiction with certain passages which reveal that God's created heavens will exist forever. "Praise ye him, sun and moon: . . . for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever: . . ." (Psalm 148:3, 5-6). "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever" (Ecclesiastes 3:14). He is the Creator, not the de-Creator. "|David's| seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven" (Psalm 89:36-37).
 
But the sun and moon, like the earth, have to be purified. Because of sin (angelic as well as human), "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). God will have to create new heavens, including sun and moon, like the new earth, but they will be the originals simply made new again, for they were all "very good" (Genesis 1:31) in the first place. However, although they will then remain forever, those in the holy city will not need them for light, for God, who is Light, will be its light, and "there shall be no night there." HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Secret Things
 
"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29)
 
This portion of Scripture follows a lengthy restatement of the Covenant of God with His people, Israel. In this chapter, Moses reminded the people of the works that God had wrought on their behalf in their deliverance from Pharaoh, in His provision for them in the wilderness, and in His protection on the battlefield (vv. 2-8).
 
In this final address, he encouraged them to "keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do" (v. 9), and stated the various blessings that would be theirs if they would do so. Lastly, he described, in graphic and burning words, the results of breaking the covenant and incurring the judgment of God (vv. 18-27). "And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day" (v. 28).
 
In recognition of the limitations of humankind, Moses wrote in our text that there are certain things known only to God, which He has veiled--things which cannot be understood by the human mind--things which He simply chooses to keep to Himself. But he goes on to say that He has revealed certain things to us, and these things we must obey. Consequently, our text consists of a great principle of life: We must do what we know to do. We don't know everything, but we must act responsibly and properly to that which He has told us, leaving the "secret things" and their consequences to God. Elsewhere, He promises that even the secret things will "work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28)--in His sovereign plan. We must obey, doing what we know to do, and leave the results with Him. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Stunted Growth in Carnal Christians
 
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)
 
The apostle Paul here makes a clear distinction between "spiritual" Christians, controlled and led by the Holy Spirit, and "carnal" Christians, still controlled by the desires of the flesh. A carnal Christian is a baby Christian. Baby Christians are a cause of great rejoicing when they are newborn believers, just like baby people. But if they remain babies indefinitely, they become an annoyance to hear and a tragedy to behold.
 
Each born-again believer needs urgently to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). That spiritual growth comes only through study of the Word, accompanied by belief and obedience. First there must be "the sincere |or 'logical'| milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2), but that is good only for the first stages of growth. "For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14). Scripture encourages us to grow to maturity and then to continue growing.
 
Carnal Christians are not necessarily pseudo-Christians, although they should examine themselves to determine whether their profession of faith in Christ is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5), but they should not be content to remain spiritual babes. Every Christian should be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts" (Jeremiah 15:16). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Secret of the Lord
 
"The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant." (Psalm 25:14)
 
This is an amazing promise. The word for "secret" means the "inner counsel," evidently of the triune God Himself.
 
But how can those who fear the Lord really know the secret counsels of the Godhead? The answer can only be by divine revelation to God's prophets. Thus the prophet Amos affirms: "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but [unless] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7).
 
When these ancient promises were given, however, much of God's revelation, though already "settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89), was still not revealed to men. Then Christ came and promised His disciples, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost . . . shall teach you all things" (John 14:26).
 
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2). In addition to the twelve disciples, God then also called the apostle Paul, and through these men, the Son would convey to those who fear Him all the rest of His revelation. "By revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (. . . Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:3-5).
 
Finally, "the secret of the Lord" was completed in written form by John, the last of the apostles, with nothing else to be either added or deleted (Revelation 22:18-19), that "the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets" (Revelation 10:7). All we shall ever need to know of God's eternal counsels is now available to all who desire to know, in the Holy Scriptures. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Marital Problems
 
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)
 
Marriage has always had a high place--a high calling. In the beginning, God's stated purpose in marriage was to propagate children (Genesis 1:28) and to eliminate solitude (2:18). Such a state was deemed "very good" (1:31). But sin entered through Adam's rebellion, and the universal Curse resulted. Out of this came a new marital relationship, one full of potential problems, for "he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (3:16). It is safe to say that the many excesses on both sides of a marriage that we see today are the legacy of sin.
 
Not only is marriage affected by the Curse, Satan himself delights in destroying marriage. Immediately after the Curse, we see that he introduced numerous practices which are detrimental to a proper marriage. The ungodly lineage of Cain began to practice polygamy (4:19). Later, Noah's son, Ham, indulged in sexual thoughts and innuendoes (9:22). Even godly Abram participated in an extramarital affair which, even though not specifically condemned, was harmful to his marriage (16:1-3).
 
Soon after this, we read about all sorts of immorality, including homosexuality in Sodom and Gomorrah (19:1-10); fornication, rape, marriage to unbelievers (34:1-2); the practice of incest (35:22; 38:13-18); prostitution (38:24); and seduction (39:7-12).
 
What is the solution for this age-long attack on the family? We must heed the guidelines given in Scripture for a godly marriage. Passages such as those surrounding our text are well worth our study. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Holy One of Israel
 
"So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel." (Ezekiel 39:7)
 
This wonderful name of God, "the Holy One of Israel," was often used during the days of the later kings of Judah. It occurs three times in the book of Psalms (Psalm 71:22; 78:41; 89:18) and then no less than 27 times in Isaiah. The name then occurs three more times (Jeremiah 50:29; 51:5; Ezekiel 39:7), with the final one being our text above (where the preposition is translated "in"). This unusual pattern can be written sequentially as 3 + 33 + 3 = 33, perhaps reflecting a divinely ordained design to suggest the Holy Trinity.
 
The strong emphasis on this particular name during the later period of Judah's kingdom probably was because of the prevalent unholiness of the nation during those years, finally culminating in the captivity of Judah itself. God stressed again and again that He was the Holy One, and that "ye shall be holy; for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).
 
This theme is prominent in most of the 33 passages where this majestic name is used, but it is especially emphasized in its final occurrence, as recorded in our text. The context of this latter passage is the prophesied invasion of Israel by "Gog, the land of Magog" who will "come up against my people of Israel . . . in the latter days" (Ezekiel 38:2, 16). At that time, says the Lord, "there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; . . . and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD" (Ezekiel 38:19, 23). Then at last, His people will never pollute His holy name any more and "the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward. . . . for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD" (Ezekiel 39:22, 29). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Whole Heart
 
"I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee." (Psalm 138:1)
 
When we sing or testify of our praise to God, it should not be perfunctory praise or repetitive rote praise. It should be sincere and wholehearted, personal praise. We should especially praise Him for revealing to us eternal truth, as written in His inspired Word. Further, we should not hesitate to praise our true God, even amidst all the false "gods" of this world. As the next verse says, He has magnified His Word above all His name! That is, the Holy Scriptures are our greatest physical possession of all the things in this world, for they alone will "not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). His Word is "for ever . . . settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).
 
This phrase, "the whole heart," occurs a number of times in the Bible, especially in the psalm of the Word, Psalm 119. Note the testimony of the psalmist in this great psalm.
 

    "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart" (v. 2).
    "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments" (v. 10).
    "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart" (v. 34).
    "I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word" (v. 58).
    "The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart" (v. 69).
    "I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes" (v. 145).

Thus, we should "keep his testimonies" (v. 2), "keep thy law" (v. 34), "keep thy precepts" (v. 69), and "keep thy statutes" (v. 145) with our whole heart, for the good and sufficient reason that He is our Lord and has given us His eternal Word, magnified above all His name. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Likeminded
 
"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Philippians 2:2)
 
This emphatic command, along with the parallel terms, helps us understand the concept of "thinking" the same thing. "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits" (Romans 12:16).
 
Such thinking also includes "having the same love." There are two aspects of this love. First, the term itself (agape) would demand that all of Christ's disciples "love one another: for love is of God" (1 John 4:7). This is often repeated to born-again believers so that our love for each other is so obvious that "by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples" (John 13:35).
 
Godly love then produces "being of one accord." This phrase is the translation of Greek word sumpsuchos, which is a compound of the preposition most often translated "with" and the word for "soul." Thus, the agape that we are to share results in a connection "with-soul" that binds the "likemindedness" in agreement with the mind and spirit of the Creator God.
 
We are finally commanded to be of "one mind"--slightly different than the "likeminded" opening charge of Philippians 2:2. The initial words are auto phroneo--"his thinking." The last use is en phroneo--one (way of) thinking.
 
The entire context of the opening verses of Philippians 2 is to think like Jesus Christ thinks. "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). "Set your affection |phroneo| on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). This kind of "thinking" must have God's love and soul embedded in the very core of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Israel's Confession of Faith
 
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
 
As stated in the law, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 was to be recited by all Jews both morning and evening, for it contains God's basic plan for passing on the message of God from generation to generation.
 
The primary teaching is contained in verse 4. There is only one God, indivisible, although in three persons. His divine uniqueness precludes the worship of any other deity. The response to this message is that we should love that God with our entire being. Jesus Christ recognized this as the first and greatest commandment (Mark 12:30), teaching that obedience to it fulfilled one's duty to the entire law.
 
The message was so important that God even gave the mechanics for passing it on. In verse 6, we see that "these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart." Each person, particularly parents (v. 7), needed a heart commitment to God's commandments, statutes, and judgments (vv. 1-2).
 
Next, they had to commit themselves to raising up a godly heritage. "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children" (v. 7). This teaching was to be first of all oral teaching. They were also to dress in such a way that it reflected their commitment to the law of God (v. 8) and they were to place visual reminders of the law of God all around their homes so that the children were constantly reminded of the things of God (v. 9).
 
Christians need to discover the truth of this passage. We must not merely assume the godly teaching of our children, but also actively cultivate it. At stake is not only the personal walk of our children, but also the eternal message of God. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Joy of Reconciliation
 
"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:11)
 
The Greek word for "atonement" in this verse is katallage, which everywhere else (some ten times, either this word or its related forms) is translated "reconciliation" (or "reconciled" or "reconciling"). The connotation is that of full restoration to full fellowship after long enmity and alienation.
 
The Hebrew word for "atonement" (kaphar, meaning "covering") occurs some 80 times in the Old Testament, over half of them in Leviticus. It normally referred to the "covering" of one's sins by the shed blood of an innocent (and blemish-free) animal sacrifice.
 
Although this could provide some comfort to the sinner, there was little to be joyful about, since the covering was only temporary and the sins were still there. When Christ came, however, He became "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). He "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26).
 
Consequently, "atonement" (in the sense of a temporary covering) is never mentioned at all in the New Testament. Instead, we have been fully "reconciled to God by the death of his Son" (Romans 5:10). Thus our text is really saying that we have real joy in God through Christ, "by whom we have now received the reconciliation!"
 
Our fellowship with our heavenly Father has been fully restored by the wonderful gift of eternal salvation through the work of Christ, "who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). And as we rejoice in the Lord, we must remember, too, that He "hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation," so that we are "ambassadors for Christ," beseeching others also to "be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18, 20). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Long Enough
 
"And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward." (Deuteronomy 2:2-3)
 
This was the second time God had to rebuke Israel for staying too long in one place. Here they were camped adjacent to the region controlled by the descendants of Esau and thus kinsmen of the Israelites, but God told them to go on north toward Canaan.
 
Long before, they had wanted to stay too long at Mount Sinai (same as Horeb) where God had given the law to Moses. Finally, "the LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: . . . Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers" (Deuteronomy 1:6, 8).
 
It is possible for a Christian to become too satisfied with his level of attainment, when the Lord may well have something more for him to do. Possibly, like Israel at Sinai, we may be content to stay in a situation where we have seen God work in the past. Or, like Israel at Edom's Mount Seir, we want to stay in what we think may be friendly surroundings, rather than venture into overtly enemy territory. Perhaps we have stayed long enough at a certain stage in our Christian growth or service, and God wants us to go further.
 
Paul wanted to continue preaching near his home in Asia, but God said for him to go on into Europe (Acts 16:6-10). Peter asked Jesus what John was going to do, but Jesus said, "What is that to thee? follow thou me" (John 21:22).
 
God may, indeed, want us to continue all of our lives right where He has placed us now, as far as location and position are concerned, but He does want us to go on further with Him. The last words written by Peter are profoundly important. "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). HMM