Bible Bytes

Spiritual Discipline

Hebrews 12:6 ‘For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom He receives.’

The subject of discipline may conjure up bad memories for some people. Often people confuse discipline with punishment. Although discipline may involve punishment, discipline should primarily be a means of teaching or discipling. Few people like to be disciplined. Even as Christians we are not fond of discipline, even when we know that it is coming from our heavenly Father. As children, we may have had fathers who corrected or disciplined us in ways that God would not approve of. And, even though our fathers may have had good intentions or motives in mind, the discipline may not have been conducted in a spirit of love. In the case of spiritual discipline, we can be confident that God only administers discipline when it is absolutely necessary, and it is proof of His love for us. Often we may not understand the reason for spiritual chastisement, but God knows exactly what we need, and how to achieve the results He knows that they are for our good. God’s chastening may be for one of two reasons – as punishment for sin, or as a deterrent to help the believer avoid making the same mistake again. When the verse speaks of scourging, it refers to the most serious form of discipline, which is necessary when we persist in disobedience and are unwilling to respond to the Holy Spirit’s attempts to teach us or guide us. But as the Master Teacher, God’s scourging will be appropriate for the intended result. Rather than be discouraged or resentful, we should be encouraged that every act of spiritual chastening is precisely what is necessary for us to grow and mature in our Christian journey.

What do you think God uses as spiritual discipline?
How do you respond to spiritual discipline?
Shouldn’t we discipline ourselves spiritually?

The Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:16  'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes..'

By saying he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, Paul was stating that he knew this gospel was good news - and it was the truth.  In a world of knowledge explosion and unprecedented scientific discovery and progress, there are many 'gospels' that one could turn to when looking for answers to life's questions and problems.  But there is only one gospel that holds the solution to spiritual necessities, both for life here and for eternity - the gospel of Christ.  This gospel is briefly described in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4  'Christ died for our sins.. was buried,  and rose again the third day.'  Because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is hope for every person to be saved from a life of sin and condemnation, to a life of deliverance from sin, and a position of righteousness before God.  Only the gospel of Christ has the power of God to offer salvation to any and all who will come to Him in faith.  Many turn to humanistic philosophies, education, new age doctrines or other forms of self help practices that may offer some temporary assistance, but can never address one's spiritual needs.  Only God, through the power of the gospel can do that.

Central to the gospel is the message of the cross, and the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  While the cross is an offense and 'foolishness to them that perish, it is the power of God to those who are saved.' (1 Corinthians 1:18)  To quote one preacher - 'only the gospel can make a foolish man wise, a sinful man holy and a miserable man joyful.'  But even greater still, through the power of the gospel one is restored to a right relationship with God that will last through the countless ages of eternity.

Dying to Live

Matthew 16:25  ‘For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.’

To the secular world much of the Christian experience is made up of contradictions or paradoxes that at best seem unreasonable and at the worst absurd.  For example, victory over the world, the flesh and the devil can be achieved through surrender; that is, surrender of one’s life to Jesus Christ.  Today’s verse is one which appears to be paradoxical, but for us who have experienced salvation, we understand that the new life in Christ is only available to those who are willing to die to themselves and their old way of life.  Paul testified to this when he said in Galatians 2:20 ‘I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me.’  Another seeming paradox is found in Luke 14:11 where Jesus states that ‘whoever exalts himself will be abased; and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’  Again, this is in direct conflict with worldly wisdom which proclaims that success will only come to those who lift themselves up.  In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus tells Paul that ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness.’  When we acknowledge our own weaknesses and fall on the strength of an Almighty God, we allow Him to work even miracles in and through us.  Finally we have the paradox of giving to receive.   Jesus promises,  in Luke 6:38, ‘Give and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.’  This concept defies worldly wisdom but has been proven countless times by Christians willing to trust in God’s faithfulness to deliver on His promise.

To many people, the inability to understand what seems to be contradictions to rational thinking may deter them from seeking the answers that can only be found within a relationship with God.  We who have proven the validity of these paradoxes have also been shown that ‘God’s thoughts and ways’ are higher than those of mankind. (Isaiah 55:8,9)

What does it mean to lose your life or “to die to self?”

Have YOU died to self?

Would you like to share your personal testimony? Info here

 

Blessing the Lord

Psalm 103:1  ‘Bless the Lord O my soul: and all that is within me bless His Holy Name.’

This is the first verse of a psalm of praise and thanksgiving to God for His numberless blessings to us.  We are often encouraged to sing songs such as ‘Count your blessings’, and to reflect on the multitude of blessings we receive from God.  We should never forget that all that we are and have we owe to our gracious and beneficent God.  But how often do we consider how we can and ought to ‘bless God’?  God is blessed when we acknowledge Him for Who He is and for what He has done for us.  When we live each day in an ‘attitude of gratitude’ God is blessed.  The psalmist goes on to say that we should bless God for all His benefits, for forgiving all our sins, and for healing our diseases.   We are urged to bless God with our soul, or from the very depth of our being.  God alone is worthy of our sacrifice of praise.  Hebrews 13:15 says that we should ‘offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…giving thanks to His name.’

In today’s verse we notice that David is speaking to himself, and encouraging himself to offer praises and thanksgiving to God.  We too should endeavour to ensure that we bless the Lord with ‘all that is within’ us.  Only praise and thanksgiving, like ‘worship that is in spirit and in truth’, will be acceptable to God.  When we bless God, the blessing returns to us and we are strengthened and uplifted in our faith.

Are we truly thankful for all of God’s blessings?

Do we even believe that we can be a blessing to God?

Blessed Be Your Name

Here I Am To Worship


Our Sufficiency Is Of God

2 Corinthians 3:5  ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.’

One of the most common mistakes we make, especially as new believers, and sometimes as more mature Christians, is to think that we can live a life pleasing to God in our own strength.  From the very beginning of our Christian experience we should realize that everything spiritual, from conviction to conversion, and subsequently everything we are and do has it’s origin in the work of God through His Holy Spirit.  At the beginning of the Beatitudes, Jesus said ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5:3)  Here, He was affirming that only those who realize and acknowledge their spiritual insufficiency, and inability to save themselves, will look to Jesus in the hope of reaching God’s kingdom.  In James 1:17 we are told that ‘every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above’.  Without doubt this includes the gift of salvation, and the work of the Holy Spirit that follows.  Paul even goes as far as to say that we are not even sufficient of ourselves to think any good thing, much less to do anything good without the help of God.

Another example of the sufficiency of God was recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:5-10, when Paul petitioned God three times to take away an infirmity from him.  We are not told what the infirmity was, but God’s answer was not to take away the problem that was tormenting Paul.  Instead, Jesus said to Paul ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’  God was teaching Paul a lesson of total reliance on Him.  Regardless of the circumstances we as Christians find ourselves in, we can be confident the grace and strength of our Lord will be available and will be sufficient to see us through.

Have you proven God’s grace to be sufficient in your life’s trials?

Do you take your problems to God in prayer?

 

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John 15:11  ‘These things have I spoken to you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’

If we judge by the dictionary definition we will find that there is very little difference between happiness and joy.  Each is described a ‘very glad feeling’ or ‘sense of intense pleasure.’  Happiness in the secular world is based, for the most part, on one’s circumstances or any number of external factors such as possessions, power, or prestige.  Whenever these things are diminished or disappear, the happiness associated with them is lost as well.  Abraham Lincoln said that ‘most folks are about as happy as they decide to be.’  In other words, people can decide to be happy if they make a conscious decision as to just what their happiness will depend on.  Again, this type of happiness will only last as long as the external influence from which it results is present.  However, Jesus had much more in mind when He offered His joy to those who would accept His way of life and salvation.  In the passage from which today’s verse is taken, Jesus speaks of ‘abiding in Him, and He abiding in us’, as well as keeping His commandments.  These are the ‘things I (Jesus) have spoken to you’ which are the source of true joy.

Jesus’ promise of abundant life here and eternal life hereafter are two of the joy producing realities of the Christian life.  Both of these are joys which originate within a believer and are not dependent upon external circumstances.  While happiness depends largely on circumstances, the Holy Spirit is able to produce joy in the heart of a believer in spite of adverse circumstances.  And, in agreement with the words of 2 Corinthians 4:18, ‘the things which are seen are temporal, while the things which are not seen are eternal.’  Only God can give the joy which none other can give, and nothing or nobody can take it away.

Pray Without Ceasing

I Thessalonians 5:17 ‘Pray without ceasing.’

The first question most Christians ask after reading this verse is ‘is God really serious when he asks us to pray without ceasing?’ To better understand what God expects of us, we have to examine why we should pray, just what qualifies as prayer, and how we can be in constant communion with God. Probably the best reason we can give for praying incessantly is that God commands it. And if He commands it He will make a way by which it can be done. But there are other good reasons why we should be constantly in prayer. Prayer is about getting to know God better, trusting him more, being more obedient to Him and developing a closer love relationship with Him. The real purpose of prayer is not to get God’s help in accomplishing our agenda, but discovering God’s will and allowing Him to fulfil that will through us. Which is why He assures us of answers to prayer when we pray according to His will. 1 John 14,15 says that ‘if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and…we have the petitions we desired of Him.’

Although we usually think of prayer in terms of words or sentences that we communicate to God either orally or silently, there are also times when God reads our minds and discerns even the desires of our hearts. In such cases, Romans 8:26,27 tells us that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us when we don’t know how to pray. However this is no doubt dependent on our being in close communion with God or in a spirit of prayer. Praying without ceasing is not a matter of continuous unbroken prayer, but a determination to persist and persevere in prayer, in confident expectation that God will answer in His time, and according to His good, acceptable and perfect will.

Is prayer a priority in your Christian walk?
Do you pray without ceasing?
Are you in constant communication with God daily?

Simply Trusting


The Peace of God

Philippians 4:6,7  'Be anxious for nothing; but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' 

Anxiety is a common problem in today's world.  The pace of life and the demands upon one's time to meet seemingly unattainable goals, often conspire to place a constant pressure on people, which regularly results in anxiety.  While it is impossible not to be concerned about the cares of this world, these verses contain the solution to dealing with them, without the worry that so often besets those who do not place their trust in God.  In 1 Peter 5:7 we are told to 'cast our care upon Him, for He cares for you.'  In today's verses we are exhorted to 'let our requests be known unto God' by prayer and with thanksgiving, in confidence that He will 'work all things for our good.'  We should ask in the spirit of thanksgiving, acknowledging God's mercies and kindness to us always.  Even though God knows all about our needs and concerns, He wants us to take them to Him in prayer.  James 4:2 reminds us that we 'have not because we ask not.'  We often neglect to ask God for help or direction because we consider our needs trivial or unimportant; however, we have a God who is concerned about every aspect of our lives, down to the minutest detail.  There is a wise adage which says 'if we are prayerful in everything, we will be careful (filled with care) in nothing.'

If we are willing to place our requests before God and confidently leave them there, we are promised the peace of God.  This is a peace which transcends our understanding, but comes with assurance that God is in control, and our greatest need is no challenge for a God 'who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think.' (Ephesians 3:20)    And that peace is maintained through our relationship with Jesus Christ and the work of His Holy Spirit.

Do you regularly bring all you requests to God in prayer?

Have you experienced God's faithfulness through answered prayer?

Are you at peace regardless of the answers you get to your prayers?




The First Resurrection

Revelation 20:6  ‘Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and  of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years’

The key word in this verse is resurrection, which in this case refers to ‘rising to life’ immediately prior to the seven-year tribulation period and other end times events.  As there is reference to the ‘first resurrection’, we can assume that there will be a second resurrection as well.  The first resurrection is for believers and occurs during the rapture or catching away of God’s people.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 we have a description of the first resurrection, and are told that the ‘dead in Christ shall rise first.’  All Christians who have died before the rapture will be raised from their graves or resting places, to be followed by the living believers, all of whom will meet the Lord in the air and shall ever be with Lord.  One of the greatest benefits of being part of the first resurrection is that the ‘second death’ has no power over Christians.  Another benefit is avoidance of the tribulation period, when there will be unimaginable suffering, persecution and death for those remaining on earth at that time.  The second death is the final judgement and condemnation of those who have refused to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, and who appear before God after the second resurrection.  And the second death is the final separation from God with no hope of ever attaining eternal life in heaven.

After the first resurrection, Christians are blessed by becoming priests of God and will reign with him during the thousand year reign of Christ on earth.  And this is just a foretaste of spending eternity in the presence of God.  Although our imagination is incapable of understanding the true beauty and glory of heaven, we are assured it is a place without sin, sickness, death or any of the trials and tribulations of our earthly existence.  Which are just a few of the reasons why it is essential that we are ready to be part of the first resurrection.  As today’s verse says, only those who have been made ‘blessed and holy’ by the blood of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit will be prepared to take part in the first resurrection.

Do YOU believe He’s coming back like He said?

Are YOU prepared for His return?

I Believe He’s Coming Back Like He Said..

Jesus our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:15  ‘For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.’

In the Old Testament the role of the priest was that of an intermediary between man and God.  One of the priest’s main duties was to present to God the sacrifices that the people brought to the temple.  It was also their responsibility to facilitate and conduct worship services on the Sabbath and other special days.  But there was one priest who had a greater role; it was the high priest who alone could enter the holiest place in the temple on the Day of Atonement and present sacrifices on behalf of his people.  This role was a foreshadowing of the one that Jesus would fulfil on our behalf.  Jesus not only became our High Priest, but He also became the sacrifice for our sin.  Instead of our sin being covered, as by the sacrifice of animals, Christ obtained ‘eternal redemption for us through the shedding of His blood on Calvary. (Hebrews 9:12).   And Hebrews 7:25 tells us that our High Priest is ‘able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.’

Jesus, as God incarnate, not only became the sacrifice for our sin, but because of His humanity, faced the kinds of struggles and temptations that we have to deal with, yet overcame them without sinning.   Because of this experience, He is able to sympathize and identify with our trials, and is available to intercede and intervene on our behalf.   Although we face temptations on a daily basis, and often fail when tested, we have a High Priest Who is an advocate on our behalf with the Father.   (1 John 1:2).  And, because of our Great High Priest we can confidently enter the holiest place, and place our petitions before the throne of grace, where God’s Word assures us we will ‘obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16)

Do you think the office of High Priest is understood today?

Do you think of Jesus as your High Priest?

What does it mean to you to have such a High Priest?

Photo..Seal Cove Beach with remnants of the old railroad embankment