A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Global Warming
 
"And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory." (Revelation 16:9)
 
There is much being discussed these days, in both the scientific literature and the popular press, on the issue of global warming. An increasing number of scientists and other intellectuals are insisting that the growing emission of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels is producing a significant warming of the whole planet, causing melting of the polar glaciers and probably an alarming increase in catastrophic events such as hurricanes and perhaps even earthquakes and tsunamis.
 
On the other hand, many more conservative scientists keep insisting that this is a cyclic phenomenon, reminding us that it was not long ago that we were being warned of an imminent ice age. Who can say for sure?
 
We do know, however, that a terrible time of global warming is indeed coming, but it will be mainly caused by increased solar activity, not carbon dioxide from automobiles and coal plants. "The light of the sun shall be sevenfold" (Isaiah 30:26). "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven" (Malachi 4:1).
 
In that day, the glaciers indeed will all melt and the resulting increase in seawater will certainly destroy the world's great coastal cities. "And the Lord God of hosts is he. . . . that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth" (Amos 9:5-6).
 
The context of all such passages is the judgment period of the last days. But could the current warming phase, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc., be a precursive sign that the real thing is coming soon? In any case, our present response should surely not be what it will be in that day when "they repented not to give him glory." HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Bringing up Children
 
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
 
This verse, together with the parallel passage in Colossians 3:21, is probably the key New Testament instruction specifically dealing with the training of children. "Nurture" is from the same Greek word that is translated "chastening" in Hebrews 12:5, 7, and "instruction" in 2 Timothy 3:16. It has particular reference to carrying out child training with both firmness and gentleness, as needed and appropriate in each particular case.
 
The term "admonition" is from a Greek word meaning"putting in mind." Thus, the "admonition of the Lord" implies teaching the ways of the Lord by using the Word of the Lord. There is no substitute for implanting a knowledge of God's Word in the minds of our children. Even if they should drift away for a while in later life, the Lord can use His Word in their hearts to bring them back.
 
Both types of training--through action and through verbal teaching--are said in this passage to be primarily the responsibility of the father. The first reference in the Bible to training children deals with Abraham's responsibility to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (see Genesis 18:19). Mothers, of course, also have much responsibility and ability in this ministry (see Proverbs 1:8, and the example cited by Paul himself of how Timothy's mother and grandmother had taught him--2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15).  Fathers, too, sometimes delegate certain teaching responsibilities to tutors (Galatians 4:1-2), but the overall responsibilities are theirs.
 
And all of this training should be done in love. "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged" (Colossians 3:21). Then we trust the Lord and pray. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

When Christ Ascended
 
"Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?)" (Ephesians 4:8-9)
 
This verse has been controversial, but is nonetheless very important. The context is taken from Psalm 68:17-20: "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: . . . Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: . . . our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death."
 
The psalmist is apparently describing the Lord among His heavenly hosts, riding home as a mighty king returning with the spoils of battle. Evidently this prize of battle consisted of His own people who had been held captive in an alien land, but who now in turn had been captured from the enemy by the returning King. To do this, the King (none other than the Lord Jesus Himself) "ascended up on high," leading them to His own throne in the heavens.
 
But first He had to descend to the earth, and then even to "the lower parts of the earth." This unusual phrase must refer to the great pit in the center of the earth confining the souls of the dead--the place called Hades.
 
One of Christ's purposes on earth was "to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (Isaiah 61:1). That is exactly what He did when He died on the cross for the sins of these very captives, then, in the Spirit, descended into Hades to set them free.
 
He returned with the very "keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18), alive forevermore. The souls of those who had died in faith came with Him, finally ascending with Him into "paradise," in "the third heaven" (note Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4) to wait with Him for His future return to reclaim the whole earth. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Unceasing Prayer
 
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
 
This is, no doubt, the shortest commandment in the Bible, and seemingly the most difficult to obey. How could anyone possibly pray without ceasing? What about sleeping, or working, or other necessary pursuits?
 
Paul himself claimed to pray without ceasing. For example, he wrote to the Roman church: "For God is my witness, . . . that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers" (Romans 1:9). To the Thessalonians he wrote: "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith" (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). In his very last epistle he wrote: "I thank God . . . that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day" (2 Timothy 1:3).
 
It is obvious from such references that Paul did not mean we should be uttering prayers continually, but rather to be continually in a prayerful attitude and never to stop the regular practice of prayer. In like fashion, the Lord Jesus said: "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). In the parable following this command, He spoke of God's "own elect, which cry day and night unto him" (Luke 18:7). This would further imply that our prayerful attitude and regular practice of specific prayer should be taking place every day and every night. We should never "faint"--that is, "lose heart"--if the answer isn't what or when we hope, but keep on praying anyway. When it's the right time, He will, indeed, answer "speedily," and in the right way (Luke 18:8).
 
To pray without ceasing means simply to be free to communicate quickly with Him, night and day, always in an attitude of prayer. "If ye abide in me," He said, "and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

One Day as a Thousand Years
 
"Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8)
 
It is sad that many Christians today are so eager to appear intellectual, they are willing to compromise God's clear revelation to do so. God has made it as clear as plain words could make it, that "in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is" (Exodus 20:11). Yet because evolutionary "science" has alleged that the earth is billions of years old, multitudes of evangelicals have fallen in line, rejecting God's plain statement of fact and then trying to find some interpretive loophole to hide behind.
 
Our text verse is perhaps the key verse of the so-called "progressive creationists" who try to correlate the days of creation in Genesis with the supposed 4.6 billion-year system of evolutionary geological ages, by citing Peter as agreeing that "one day is a thousand years."
 
No, Peter is saying that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years"! That is, God can do in one day what might, by natural processes, take a thousand years. In context, the apostle is condemning the last-day uniformitarians (those who teach that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation") as "willingly ignorant" of the tremendous significance of the historical facts of creation and the Flood (2 Peter 3:3-6). Real written records only go back a few thousand years, and to attempt to calculate any date before that requires use of a premise which, in context, the Scriptures have just condemned! God says the uniformitarians are willingly ignorant and then urges those who believe His Word to "be not ignorant."  The only way we can know the date and duration of creation is for God to tell us, and He says He made all of heaven and earth in six days, and not so long ago! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Compound Names of Jehovah
 
"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:6)
 
There are seven compound names of Jehovah in Scripture which together provide profound insight into the person and work of our Lord. The first of these identifies Jehovah, the God of the Covenant, with the Creator "the LORD God |'Jehovahelohim'| |who| made the earth and the heavens" (Genesis 2:4).
 
On finding a ram to sacrifice in place of his son, Isaac, "Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh |the Lord will provide|" (Genesis 22:14).
 
Contingent upon their keeping the law, God promised the people of Israel that "I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee |literally, 'Jehovah-rapha'|" (Exodus 15:26).
 
Fresh from a miraculous victory in the first battle of the people of Israel, "Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi |Jehovah the Victor|" (Exodus 17:15).
 
Once the Lord had commissioned Gideon to lead the people of Israel out of bondage, "Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom |Jehovah sends peace|" (Judges 6:24).
 
In a passage concerning the future regathering and conversion of Israel quoted in our text, we see that Israel refers to the "Lord our righteousness |'Jehovah-tsidkenu'|."
 
Finally, in the last verse of his book, Ezekiel describes the absorbing charm of the heavenly city and the One who will preside over it, claiming, "The name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there |'Jehovah-shama,' Jehovah the indweller|" (Ezekiel 48:35).
 
And best of all, He is all seven to us. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Joyful Sound
 
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance." (Psalm 89:15)
 
Many have been the Christians who have joined in singing "We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves; Jesus saves!" Not all have known, however, that this beautiful phrase comes from a great psalm extolling God's marvelous works of creation and then His promises of redemption.
 
"The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. The north and the south thou hast created them" (Psalm 89:11-12). Earlier verses note that "the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD" (v. 5), speaking of the angels, "the sons of the mighty" (v. 6), literally, "the sons of God." It is exciting to realize that the very first "joyful sound" was heard when God "laid the foundations of the earth." Then it was that "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:4, 7).
 
There was also a joyful sound when Christ was born, and the angel came bringing "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born . . . a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. . . . And suddenly there was . . . the heavenly host praising God" (Luke 2:10-11, 13).
 
Whenever a soul is saved, there is another joyful sound: "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth," said Jesus (Luke 15:7). Finally, there will be a most wonderful sound of joy on earth when the Lord comes again. "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:10). Therefore, even now, "my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation" (Psalm 35:9). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Doctrine of Christ
 
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)
 
It is obvious from this passage that "the doctrine of Christ" is vitally important, for a person who does not "abide" (that is "continue") in this doctrine does not know God at all. In fact, the next verse forbids fellow Christians even to welcome such a person into one's home or into the fellowship of his church. That person certainly must not be permitted to teach his false doctrine there. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed" (2 John 10).
 
But exactly what is "the doctrine of Christ"? In context, it must certainly include the incarnation of God in Christ in human flesh (2 John 7). In addition, however, the Greek word actually means "the teachings," and probably refers to everything the Scriptures teach concerning Him, as well as all that He Himself taught. This breadth of meaning in the Word is illustrated by the Lord's warning against "the doctrine of Balaam" (Revelation 2:14), which obviously refers to Balaam's teachings. The "doctrine of Christ" thus embraces everything God's Word teaches about Christ's person and work, as well as what He Himself taught about everything else.
 
There may be questions that can arise about interpretation or proper translation of some portion of the doctrine of Christ, but not about its validity or authority. Once the teaching is clearly understood, it must not be questioned or diluted or explained away, but simply believed, practiced, and proclaimed. For any teacher that "abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God" and we must not have Christian fellowship with him or encourage his erroneous teaching in any way. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Biblical Accuracy
 
"If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" (John 3:12)
 
Many who profess to be Christian intellectuals today are arguing that we should defer to the evolutionists in matters of science and history, since the real message of the Bible is spiritual. The Genesis account, for example, is not meant to give us details of the events of creation, for scientists can give us this information. It merely assures us that God is somehow behind it all. But if this were all that God meant to tell us, its very first verse is enough for that! What is the need to describe all the days and acts of creation at all if the record has no real relevance to history or science?
 
As the Lord Jesus told Nicodemus in our text verse, if we cannot trust God's Word when it relates "earthly things," how can we possibly rely on its testimony of "heavenly things"? To some extent we can check for ourselves whether or not it is accurate when it records facts of history and processes of nature, but we have no means at all of determining whether it speaks the truth when it deals with heaven and hell, with salvation and eternal life, or with God's purpose for the world in the ages to come.
 
The fact is that the Bible is accurate in all matters with which it deals, scientific and historical as well as spiritual and theological. It is a dangerous thing to listen to these modern "pied pipers" of evangelicalism whose self-serving compromises with evolutionary scientism have already led multitudes of young people astray in our Christian colleges and seminaries.
 
We yet may not have all the answers to alleged problems in the Bible, but we can be absolutely sure of God's Word. When the answers are found, they will merely confirm what He has said all along. He is able and willing to speak the truth, and He means what He says! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Counting God
 
"Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?" (Job 31:4)
 
God is surely the Great Mathematician. All the intricacies of structure and process of His mighty cosmos are, at least in principle, capable of being described mathematically, and the goal of science is to do just that. This precise intelligibility of the universe clearly points to a marvelous intelligence as its Creator.
 
God even "telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names" (Psalm 147:4). Astronomers estimate that at least ten trillion trillion stars exist in the heavens, and God has counted and identified each one! And that is not all: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered," Jesus said (Matthew 10:30). From the most massive star to the tiniest hair, God has counted each component of His creation.
 
Such countings are far beyond human capabilities, for "the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured" (Jeremiah 33:22). But God has also created "an innumerable company of angels" (Hebrews 12:22) and has promised that the redeemed will include "a great multitude, which no man could number" (Revelation 7:9).
 
No wonder David exclaimed, "Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered" (Psalm 40:5).
 
Perhaps the most wonderful of all God's counting activities is that implied in Job's rhetorical question: "Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?" If He has numbered the hairs on our heads, we can be certain He numbers our steps along the way, and guides them all. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way" (Psalm 37:23). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Creation and the Finger of God
 
"It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." (Exodus 31:17-18)
 
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16), but this portion of Scripture was given by direct inscription of God! Moses testified: "The LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly" (Deuteronomy 9:10). "He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments" (Exodus 34:28). Thus, out of all the Holy Scriptures, God chose to write this section, not through one of His prophets, but with His own finger! It should, therefore, be taken literally and most seriously.
 
It is also significant that these commandments were structured around a weekly day of rest, "remembering" God's creation week--six days of creating and making everything in heaven and earth, followed by a sanctified day of rest and refreshment (note also Exodus 20:8-11 and Genesis 1:31-2:3). Ever since the creation, people have observed a weekly calendar. The seven-day week (unlike the day, month, and year) has no astronomical basis at all. People keep time in weeks simply because God did! Even those who deny the six-day week of creation must observe it, for their biological rhythms are constructed that way by God. "The sabbath was made for man," said Jesus (Mark 2:27). Since God considered the truth of the literal creation week so important that He inscribed it Himself, we should believe this portion of His Word first of all. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Follow the Leader
 
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:...)." (Philippians 3:17-18)
 
Godly leaders are responsible for living exemplary lives so that those whom they teach will both follow and eventually become leaders of others. "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ," Paul demanded of the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 11:1). "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works," he instructed Titus (Titus 2:7). But Paul was first a follower of the life example of Christ.
 
Today's verse uses some unusual terms to both define the responsibility to follow and mark those walking after Paul's lifestyle. Memos is Greek for "follow," compounded with a prefix that means "together." Our English word "mimic" comes from memos. We are expected to imitate the examples of those who lead godly lives, who themselves are committed to emulate the Lord Jesus.
 
Further, we are expected to "mark" those living after godly examples. The Greek word skopeo is the strongest word among several for identifying someone or something. It has the sense of intense observation. In the secular literature, it is sometimes used for a spy. God expects us to pay careful attention to those who "have the rule over |us|" (Hebrews 13:17).
 
And we are to watch out for those who may influence us for evil. There are "enemies" of the Lord Jesus. Those are sometimes among us, and we must "mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). May God give us the discernment to know the difference between "good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). HMM III

[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. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Jesus and the Fact of Hell
 
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41)
 
How can it be that Jesus Christ, who taught so strongly the importance of love and forgiveness, could speak such words as these? Actually, Jesus had more to say about hell and eternal punishment than any other speaker or writer in the Bible. Since He is the Creator (Colossians 1:16), the coming Judge (John 5:22), and the only man who has died and risen permanently from the dead (2 Corinthians 5:14-15), we would do well to believe and heed His warnings. He knows whereof He speaks!
 
Listen to these prophecies, for example: "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:49-50). "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:47-48). There are other such warnings from Christ, but how can we reconcile such threats of everlasting doom with His own nature of love?
 
The fact is, however, that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for people. The devil has been a rebel against God since the beginning, wanting to be his own god. When people follow the devil in this same rebellious path, rejecting God's Word, they are showing they would be more comfortable with Satan than with Christ in eternity. Therefore Christ, because of His great love, has repeatedly warned them of what is coming, and so should we. "Of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire" (Jude 22-23). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Those Fossil Fuels
 
"And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark." (Genesis 7:23)
 
People today are concerned about the eventual depletion of the oil and coal supplies of the world. The economics of all the world's nations are largely dependent upon these "fossil fuels," as they are called.
 
And they are called "fossils" because they apparently once were living organisms, somehow buried in vast sediments and later compressed and converted into oil and coal and combustible gas. How could this have happened?
 
Evolutionists speculate that hundreds of millions of years of slow processes must have been involved, but the details of such processes are very uncertain. Coal and oil can be produced in a matter of hours in modern laboratories under appropriate conditions of heat and pressure. Recent studies by creation scientists have proved that at least the great coal beds (and even diamond mines) contain modern radiocarbon, so must have been formed recently.
 
Although evolutionists ridicule the idea of a world-destroying hydraulic cataclysm in Noah's day, that phenomenon really does provide the most reasonable explanation for all these phenomena. "The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (2 Peter 3:6).
 
Isn't it ironic that the whole world's economy has come to depend on that orgy of death imposed on a wicked world in its early days? Without the energy stored in these dwindling fossils, man's rush toward greater sin and judgment in these latter days would almost certainly be hindered. In the meantime, "The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming" (Psalm 37:13). HMM