Joshua 21-24

God keeps His promises. It is sufficient simply to have faith that this is true without requiring proof of it (Deut 6:16, Hebrews 11:1), but God knows our hearts even better than we do. He delights in encouraging us--and glorifying Himself--by demonstrating His faithfulness. In today's passage we see God's promises fulfilled in totality. "Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled" (Joshua 21:45).

As he calls them home in Chapter 22, Joshua praises the eastern tribes for their adherence to God's commands. Entering into the promised land is a long-awaited prize for these tribes, but is it their merit that earns them this bounty? Is God beholden to them for these parcels? Or is it an outpouring of God's grace that such restoration is even conceivable for the Israelites?

More broadly, what is the relationship between obedience and reward? Many hundreds of years after Joshua's death, Jesus tells the parable of the talents (Matthew 25: 14-30). A man charges three servants with looking after a portion of his wealth while he is away. Upon his return, as faithfully as they have carried out this mission, so does he lavish them with praise and additional responsibility. It is not difficult to see ourselves in this story, and indeed its key theme of stewardship underpins the entire Christian life.

We are given eternal life through faith in Jesus (John 3:16, John 14) and clear instructions to spread the Gospel far and wide (Matthew 28: 18-20). Far from being our fair wage (Romans 6:23 tells us we are due exactly the opposite), it is a testament to God's character that we are allowed to participate in these things. God doesn't owe us anything. We owe him. It is thanks entirely to God's surpassing grace that just as Joshua, "The servant of the Lord," was laid to rest in the promised land (Joshua 24: 29-30), so too do we anticipate the promised land of eternal life with God.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant." How my heart longs to hear those words.

Genesis 16-19

Why does God make covenants? He is the Creator, making not just something from nothing but everything from nothing (Genesis 1-2). Surely a being with such power and majesty need not bind Himself to man by entering into agreements with him. Indeed God does not need to do this, but He does so anyway. Why?

God enters into covenants to reveal more of His character to us. You see, relationship is central to the Christian life. In the beginning of everything, even before time itself, the three persons of the Godhead existed in perfect, eternal relationship to one another (Athanasian Creed). In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed the presence and company of God, who when walking through the garden might call out to them if He didn't see them (Genesis 3: 8-9). And even after sin entered the world and man was cast out from the garden, we can once again have eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not eternity in a vacuum, however; it's eternity in relationship with God.

And so in Genesis 17, we see God enter into a covenant with Abram. Not just any covenant, either, but a sweeping bond in which God promises "I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" (v. 7-8).

By so doing, God reveals more not only of the relational aspect of His character but also of His redemptive plan. God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises (Psalm 111, Psalm 145:13, John 8:26, Titus 1:2, etc.), and as we meditate on these truths, our hearts cannot help but be moved to worship.

Romans 9-10

Paul begins Romans 10 with this lament, "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved" (Romans 10:1). In Genesis 17, though, God establishes His covenant with Abram. So what happened to Israel? The Old Testament is rife with examples of Israel's disobedience to God, but would their inability to observe the Law really keep them out of heaven?

The problem is that in a post-resurrection world, obedience to the Law isn't enough to get us into heaven in the first place. John the Baptist warns about the danger of complacent confidence in birthright salvation (Matthew 3: 7-10), too, but even that isn't the real issue at hand. Sin is the real issue. So great is the gulf between man and God, so stark the contrast between our wretched sin state and God's perfect holiness, that reconciliation is only possible through the atoning blood of Jesus (John 14:6, Romans 10: 9-10).

Our own efforts and works will always fall far short of what is required of us. That is why we cannot keep the law, why we cannot construct our own road to heaven. In Jesus, though, the work has been done that we could never do; the price has been paid that we could never pay (Matthew 5:17, Romans 10:6, 2 Cor 1:20). What an encouraging thought, that when we stand before the holy Judge--as we all will--sentence will be passed not according to our own righteousness but according to Jesus'.

If you want eternal life with God, you can have it. Hear the Gospel, repent of your sin, and put your trust in Jesus.

Matthew 8-10

Jesus' encounter with the centurion at Capernaum (Matthew 8: 5-13) is a short but revealing exchange. I am struck in particular by Jesus' frank commendation of the centurion's faith. "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith ... Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would" (Matthew 8:10, 13). What encouraging words! Jesus could be equally blunt when it came to the consequences of ignoring the Gospel message, though. When he sends out the twelve, he instructs them, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town" (Matthew 10: 14-15).

Jesus does not immediately elaborate as to what exactly that might entail, but he refers elsewhere to the "darkness" and "the blazing furnace," both of which will involve much "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:12, 13:42). Chances are good you don't want to spend eternity in darkness or in a blazing furnace; I know I don't. If you believe what Jesus teaches, though, then the alternative is a life--indeed, an eternity--of following him.

How can you have that? As Jesus tells the parable of the sower and then explains it to his disciples (Matthew 13: 3-9 and 18-23, respectively), it becomes clear that it all begins with hearing the Gospel. And once we have heard, we have the delight and the duty to proclaim (Matthew 5:14-16, 13: 44-46, 28: 18-20). How else will others come to believe if no one tells them of the Good News (Romans 10: 15-19)? It is such joy to follow Jesus; how can we keep that to ourselves?

May we boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ that all may hear, understand, and believe.

Isaiah 18-22

Sin has consequences. It's easy to overlook--or choose to ignore--the ramifications of our rebellion against God, but this will neither delay nor prevent them. Many passages of Scripture speak to God's patience, mercy, and forgiveness, and these are indeed wonderful traits for which God deserves praise and glory. But in the absence of judgment, grace is cheap. It is only against the backdrop of sin and the destruction it engenders that grace takes on any meaning at all. God, who is perfect in holiness, cannot allow sin to dwell in His presence (the brief audiences He grants Satan in Job 1-2 are exceptions that prove the rule). Unfortunately for us, we are sinful creatures to a one (Romans 3:23). As a result, if you fast-forward to the end of time, only two outcomes are possible: Either our sin is paid for and we get to spend eternity with God, or we remain unredeemed and we are consigned to an eternity apart from God.

The terror of this reality is that it's inescapable (renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens famously compared Christianity to a "cosmic North Korea"). In Chapters 18-22, Isaiah issues a clarion call to Cush, Egypt, Babylon, and other cities that destruction is nigh. These prophecies against ancient cities are a temporal reminder of what awaits us all if we do not have an intercessor. It doesn't matter to whom else we turn for redemption; if it is not God, then we will someday find ourselves cowering as Isaiah's words are realized. "Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you and hurl you away, you mighty man" (Isaiah 22:17).

The beauty, however, is that we do have a Savior, God's own Son (Matthew 3:17). If we turn from our sin and put our trust in Jesus, we can wrap ourselves in his imputed righteousness and so be restored to relationship with God. A firm grasp of what would otherwise be in store for us--and why we would receive such a fate--will only serve to deepen our awe at this "free gift" God has given us (Revelation 22:17). Perhaps the greatest lesson we can take away from Isaiah is what God has saved us from. By deepening our understanding of the destruction that will be visited upon those who choose to reject God, we deepen our understanding of the vast dimensions of God's mercy and grace and of His limitless worthiness of our worship.

Job 7-8

Job 7-8 

"Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting."
Job 8:20-21 

Our perspective on Job's circumstance informs us that the above statement is true. His health was restored, his family did again grow and his possessions were even greater. Of course Job's friends had an incomplete view of his circumstance, also. Their conclusions were off. Yet these words of God's commitment are most definitely true. 
In the moment of difficulty, how do we receive encouragement from others? When I am feeling sorry for myself, I want to feel sorry for myself. It is telling when those close to me try to lift my spirit and I bristle at their positive words.
I am convicted of my selfish attitudes, but also encouraged that I am not a slave to sorrow or anger.
We have the Word that brings perspective and our relationship with God that brings hope.

Psalms 9-11

Psalms 9-11 

Reading through chapters 9, 10, and 11 is a bit like riding a roller coaster with its peaks and troughs. As David considers the wonderful deeds of God his words rise in praise. As he considers the deceit and oppression of the wicked his words seem to drain to the bottom.
David asks a question with serious implications.

“if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
(Psalm 11:3 ESV)

The response clearly reminds us of God's sovereignty.

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
(Psalm 11:4 ESV) 

He is above all; He is unable to be challenged. Though we can spin out on the very real woes of our lives our spirits can always be lifted when we look to God’s unwavering authority over all.

Joshua 16-20

Joshua 16-20

The Bible is full of examples of leadership and management. It can be said that the leader’s job is to inspire and motivate while the manager’s job is to plan, organize and coordinate.

Joshua exemplifies both these roles. Consider the following examples.

Leader

So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?”
(Joshua 18:3 ESV)

Manager

“Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me. They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall continue in his territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north. And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.”
(Joshua 18:4-6 ESV)

It is safe to say that God will call each of us to lead and manage to some degree as we grow in Him. This call can be in our home, church, work, and elsewhere. How effective we are is directly linked to the health of our relationship with God. Joshua had a great mentor in Moses, but even more important he had the greatest leader and manager in God. We too have such leadership and management available to us.

A quick disclaimer: this blog entry is not meant to suggest that God is merely a leader and manager. He is so much more. The intention here is to draw out specific practical application.

As we seek out God, pray and study the Word, we are strengthened in our spirit and aligned to His plan.

Genesis 12-15

Genesis 12-15 

A brief post today. Twice Abram built an alter and called upon the name of the LORD. The first followed God appearing to Abram and the second followed very clear intervention on God's part. First, we see wonderful examples of God's commitment to His promise, both in word and action. Second, we see a response by Abram that appropriately draws attention to God's holiness and sovereignty.
Are we taking time to thoughtfully and sincerely meet with God?

"And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6

Romans 7-8

Romans 7-8

To look at our own sin is difficult. Measured against the Law it is truly devastating.

"For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin." Romans 7:14 

Paul describes sin as active. In chapter 7, twice he uses the phrase, "seizing an opportunity through the commandment". Sin causes a person to do the exact opposite of what they ought to do.

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 

Left to ourselves sin is an unbeatable opponent. The conflict and our need is firmly established.

"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:22-24 

There is hope! Upon acknowledging our sin and surrendering to Christ the Spirit dwells within the believer to great effect.

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11 

This does not mean we are free from effort. Paul plainly states, "the Spirit helps us in our weakness." We are destined for victory which implies that until that time commitment on our part is required. We can be our own worst enemy, but take encouragement from the following.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Matthew 5-7

Matthew 5-7

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV) 

To understand what something is, it can be beneficial to consider what something is not. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that believers are to be salt and light. More specifically He has called believers to let your light shine before others. To borrow contemporary corporate jargon, He follows this call-to-action with the value statement. It’s two-fold:

1. may see your good works 
2. give glory to your Father who is in heaven 

So what is characteristic of good works? Or, what is not characteristic of good works? Jesus paints a vivid picture seen in chapter 6.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Matthew 6:1-4 ESV) 

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Matthew 6:5-6 ESV) 

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)

Does this seem contradictory? In 5:16 believers are called to be seen, but in following verses believers are cautioned about being seen. Consider John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John’s statement provides context for Matthew 5:16. The intention is for good works to point to God, not to any man. Work done for a selfish end is hypocritical; this is confirmed in Matthew 6. Work done for God’s glory is true and rewarded.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
(Matthew 7:15-20 ESV) 

Let your light shine before others in such a way that God is all that others see.

Isaiah 12-17

Isaiah 12-17 

“The Lord of hosts has sworn: As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,” –Isaiah 14:24

It’s no surprise that God’s promise of consistency is a comfort. In the midst of daily life, events and interactions can seem like dead-ends and one-offs, particularly from our imperfect perspective. Yet we see in His oath that “…as I have planned, so shall it be…” To quote one commentary, “for nothing new can arise to Him who sees the end from the beginning.”

Consider the context. Isaiah is relaying the future downfall of kings and empires. He is relaying the consequences of deceitful leaders and the willing people. He is also relaying the hope in the future Immanuel.

“then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.” –Isaiah 16:5

It’s a lot to take in, as it likely was for Isaiah’s audience. What comfort can be had in all this? As stated, there is comfort through His consistency. There is comfort through His promise of hope.

“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” –Hebrews 6:17-18 

Job 5,6

The blog today will take a different turn.  We are reading Job 5 and 6.  His friend speaks and then Job speaks about his circumstances.  So I have linked a video today of some contemporaries that speak about your response to life's circumstances.  If you have the time, watch this video.  It is 10 minutes.  Watch with an open mind, but be discerning.  It includes Oprah, Rick Warren, and a person you may or may not have heard of, Nick Vujicic.  What do you think?

God's work Ps 8

            “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,”

(Psalm 8:3 ESV)

 Here is an idea that maybe you haven’t thought about when you come across these passages that describe God’s majestic work in creation.  Notice the word “work.”  Have you noticed that in the beginning God worked?  In our small group at Valley we are reading “Every Good Endeavor” – connecting your work to God’s work - by Tim Keller.  This week we discussed the creation account.  Consider these questions: “Why do you work”, or "why do you want to work?”

Well that is a lot to tackle in one blog, so let me start you on the path to answering these questions.  In the beginning there was work.  The bible begins with this idea of work at there very beginning. 

            “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.”

(Genesis 2:1-2 ESV)

So, in the beginning God worked.  Stay with me and connect the dots.  Not only did God work, he found delight in the work. 

            And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

(Genesis 1:31 ESV)

As we continue we find the account of Adam and Eve.  What was God’s plan for them?

            The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

(Genesis 2:15 ESV)

 So wait, in the beginning man worked also?  God’s plan always included human beings working.  It was part of God’s perfect design for human life, because we were made in God’s image, and part of His glory and happiness is that He works.

Do you every see work as a necessary evil or even punishment?  What we see in the Genesis account is that work was around before sin and the curse.  Work was part of the blessedness of the garden of God.  Work is as much a basic human need as food, rest, friendship.  When we feel and sense the affects of sin, remember, work was not the curse.  After sin, the curse put upon man is that work would also include toil.  It would now include frustration and be exhausting.  The forces of nature would work against our work.  But, it would still be part of our DNA.  It would still give us satisfaction.  It would still connect us to the image of God.

 And that is the connection I want to make to this verse.  When we read about God working and creating, remember how much pleasure he took in it.  This was God’s plan for us.  And when we create, work, design, we are reflecting the image of God.  Work is a gift from God, and like Him, we should find satisfaction in it and bring Him glory.
 

Is That Fair? Joshua 13

“But to the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.” (Joshua 13:33 ESV)

Unless you are itching for some laborious study, Joshua chapter 13 at first appears one of the more dull chapters of our readings lately. Mostly it details the boundaries of the lands of the various tribes, which lands were conquered and which enemies were yet to be conquered.

After Joshua conquered the land, he distributed the land between all the tribes. This was a big deal because this was part of the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 17. God’s promise and choosing was attached to the promised land beyond the Jordan.

Now this is one of those sections of the Bible that is easy to gloss over. Descriptions of maps just aren’t that interesting. Somehow though, a verse struck me as I was reading the section talking about the allotment to the tribe of Levi. The Levites, if you remember, were the priests of Israel. As such, they didn’t get any land. At first, you might feel bad for them. They fought alongside the rest of the other tribes. They suffered through the wilderness wanderings with the rest of the tribes. If anything, they worked harder and did more for the nation of Israel than any of the other tribes. They seemed the most deserving of the land that they waited so long for.

But then I was struck by Joshua 13:33. The reason they don’t get the land is because their inheritance is the Lord. They get the direct access, the presence, the sacrifice. Their inheritance is that they get to worship God constantly.

Think about this.  Isn’t it our tendency to treasure the effects of God and miss God altogether. Later we find that Israel, after being chosen by God and given the land of Canaan, abandoned God and made the land the important thing.   They started to treasure what God had given them more than him.  Sound familiar?

As Christians, the inheritance of the Levites is ours as well. We may not get earthly riches, we may not have all our dreams come true. But we get Christ! Our inheritance is confidence in approaching the throne of grace! 

I’m ashamed how often I envy the earthly inheritance of people around me. Or even worse, how often I look at God and wonder if this is all I’m get for following him. I wonder if some of the Levites felt this way.

I pray that this week we would examine ourselves and our ambitions. If God told you today that you get nothing of this world but him, would that be enough?

Does this remind you of a Song – All I Have is Christ!

Here is a link to the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsp-WuZR40g

God’s Mercy- Gen 9

One of our family's favorite books is The Jesus Story Book Bible (Sally Lloyd-Jones). And I love how she tells the story of Noah. It is not just a story about Noah, the story is about God. God brings the animals, God gives Noah the plans for the ark, and God makes the floods come. God also brings the promise of hope. She describes it this way:

“It wasn’t long before everything went wrong again but God wasn’t surprised, he knew this would happen. That’s why, before the beginning of time, he had another plan—a better plan. A plan not to destroy the world, but to rescue it—a plan to one day send his own Son, the Rescuer.

God’s strong anger against hate and sadness and death would come down once more—but not on his people, or his world. No, God’s war bow was not pointing down at his people. It was pointing up, into the heart of Heaven.”

So often we hear the story of Noah’s ark only in children’s Bible stories, and often it is closely followed by a craft where we play with the animals and build the ark. The story of Noah becomes a story about animals getting on a big boat, a flood, and a rainbow. All of these things are essential pieces to this story, but I think they are incomplete. They don’t tell the entire story—the most important part of the story. Jesus.

When we reduce the story of Noah to building an ark and pairs of animals we miss the wonder of the story. It’s hard for us to imagine animals walking on to a boat and not killing each other because we don’t fully grasp what God was doing. He was preserving a people for himself. He was making a new creation. And he was extending amazing mercy that points us to the greatest mercy of all—the Cross. It is in the refuge of Christ that we find protection from the wrath of God. Genesis 6-9 is about sin and a Savior just as much as Romans is.

Little kids need to know that our only hope from the flood of eternal destruction is in Christ. Like Noah, we must seek refuge in the “ark” that God provides for us. When we look at Noah’s story in this way, trying to figure out how many animals got on the boat seems far more insignificant than it used to.

Noah’s ark was most definitely about the animals, and the flood, and the rainbow but most importantly it was about the God that made them. And when we see a rainbow in the sky, we can be thankful that the promise to never flood the earth again was fulfilled in the Promised One—our great Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rom 5, 6

When I was growing up, I really enjoyed soccer.  It was a sport that came naturally to me, so that probably contributed to my enjoyment of it.  In middle school, it was about having fun, and since we won a lot, it was fun.  High school soccer was harder, and we had preseason.  So I endured preseason and enjoyed the season. Then came college.  Guys were bigger, stronger, faster, and every player on the team was the best player from their high school.   I remember my first preseason.  I thought I was going to die.  I lost 10 pounds that week.  How does a guy 5’10” 140 pounds lose 10 pounds?  The answer, running, and lots of it.  Miles and miles.  Sometimes with people on your back. I remember waking up after the first morning and thinking something was wrong with my body because I had to move my legs with my arms.  I knew getting in shape was important, but this was excessive I thought. 

One day during a video session the coach had us do something very strange.  We watched a portion of a world cup soccer game.  But not the way you would normally watch it.  We just followed one guy.  Guess what?  In a 90 minute soccer game, the average player only touches the ball about 4 minutes.  Guess what he is doing the other 86 minutes? – running. Later the coach went on to explain the pain we are going through will produce endurance.  When we have endurance, we become more effective in the game.  When each player is more effective, we have a greater chance at winning.   He encouraged us not only to push through the pain, but revel in it - knowing that this pain was producing a complete soccer player. And last he shared, there is no short cut in that process.  Of course, a lot of that was lost at the time because I was still thinking how dumb I was to choose a sport that over 90% of the time I was just running.

 Today’s passage says,

            Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

(Romans 5:3-4 ESV)

I want hope and power via the Holy Spirit. I want to know God’s love intimately. I’d even like a healthy heaping of hope.

But you know what I don’t want?

I don’t want to grow my character. I certainly don’t enjoy practicing endurance. And, without a doubt I do not want to suffer.

Who signs up for that?

I pray that I can begin to look at life’s trials and sufferings as character growing, endurance building and hope breathing seasons in the Lord. Romans 5 clearly states that the end cannot come without the means.
What are you simply enduring right now? How can you turn it into a season of endurance building instead? Allow God to refine you and in turn, pour His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Is Belief Enough? Matt 3:2

Matthew writes that John the Baptist began his ministry with the message of repentance.

            “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

(Matthew 3:2 ESV)

So, a logical question would be, “Is belief all that is necessary for Salvation.”  Well, I guess that depends on what you believe.

It is true that there are numerous Bible verses that speak of the promise of salvation, with no mention of repentance. These merely say to "believe" on Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). However, the Bible makes it clear that God is holy and man is sinful, and that sin makes a separation between the two (Isaiah 59:1,2). Without repentance from sin, wicked men cannot have fellowship with a holy God. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ.

The Scriptures speak of "repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18). We turn from sin to the Savior. This is why Paul preached "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). The first public word Jesus preached was "repent" (Matthew 4:17). Jesus told His hearers that without repentance, they would perish (Luke 13:3).

If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert "believes" and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a "worker of iniquity." Look at the warning of Scripture: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth" (1 John 1:6).

When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he commanded his hearers to repent "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Without repentance, there is no remission of sins; we are still under His wrath. Peter further said, "Repent . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). We cannot be "converted" unless we repent. God Himself "commands all men everywhere [leaving no exceptions] to repent" (Acts 17:30). Peter said a similar thing at Pentecost: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38).

With so many Scriptures speaking of the necessity of repentance for salvation, one can only suspect that those who preach salvation without repentance are strangers to repentance themselves, and thus strangers to true conversion.

Isaiah 7 - Ask God for a sign?

Is it okay to ask God for a sign?

We all want answers. We all want to be sure. We all want to know. So we ask, we think – we test the waters. Often before we make a major move in our lives, we ask God for a direction.

 “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” – Isaiah 7:11

Is it right to ask God for a sign? To test Him?

Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” – Isaiah 7:12

The background of this verse is that Isaiah was telling king Ahaz to ask God for a sign in order to prove the prophecy that Judah will not fall to the hands of Israel and Aram – both of which was already on the move to invade Judah. But Ahaz said that he will not put God to the test. But God knew the heart of Ahaz because Ahaz had already sought help from the king of Assyria and so he thought that he did not need God’s help anymore.

“Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?” - Isaiah 7:13

See, God wants to help us. God wants to bless us. God wants to give us answers – if it will glorify Him and will accomplish His purposes. Ahaz did not want God’s help due to pride. He put his faith in the king of Assyria. Little did he know that soon after, Assyria would soon also turn his eyes on Judah (king Ahaz’s kingdom).

God wants His people to depend on Him for deliverance. But God also knows our motives. If we’re asking Him for a sign for ourselves – a selfish and pointless desire to know then chances are, you won’t get any.

On the other hand, if you really want to seek God’s Kingdom and you really have a heart for God, He says in His Word,

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” - Luke 11:9

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33

Bad Theology - Job 3-4

by Diana Durrill

Eliphaz has spent seven days demonstrating wisdom by remaining silent as Job wrestles with his tremendous loss.  When he finally opens his mouth, albeit gently and kindly at first, his counsel is full of bad theology. He holds to an unbiblical idea that God blesses the righteous according to their good works and curses the unrighteous according to their evil works. In other words, "good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people".

Eliphaz (and company) believe that Job is not as upright as he claims to be.  Eliphaz is the first of the three friends to speak out that Job must be suffering because there is some terrible sin in his life.  If that weren't the case then surely Job would still be enjoying his prosperity. However, Eliphaz does not have a good perspective on the situation, nor does he have a good understanding of Job's God.  

Having the advantage of reading this story from our viewpoint (after reading chapter 1 to get the backstory and then knowing that chapters 38-42 are coming), we know that Job was suffering not as a result of his unrighteousness but because of his righteousness.  Satan has accused Job of being a fair-weather God follower (Job 1:9-11)  His premise is that Job has been hedged about with God's blessings and should God allow hardship or tragedy to come into Job's life, he would surely curse God to His face.  

Eliphaz has kept his mouth shut for seven long days and finally feels compelled to speak up.  He begins kindly by sandwiching his criticism with praise (Job 4:1-5). He acknowledges Job’s wisdom and kindness toward others who have struggled. But Eliphaz soon begins to shame Job into a false confession of guilt. He urges Job to repent before God and live.

Eliphaz arrogantly asks and answers a rhetorical question, “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?  As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.  By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed."   The implication here is that if you don't sow iniquity and trouble then you won't reap adversity, you won't be affected by tragedy.  "Job, my friend, spit it out -- confess your iniquity and live!"

The notes in my MacArthur Study Bible puts it this way: 

"[Eliphaz] had oversimplified God's pattern of retribution.  This simple axiom, 'the righteous will prosper and the wicked will suffer,' does not always hold up in human experience.  It is true that plowing and sowing iniquity reaps judgment, so Eliphaz was partially right (Galatians 6:7-9, I Peter 3:12), but not everything we reap in life is the result of somthing we have sown.  Eliphaz was replacing theology with simplistic logic.  To say that wherever there is suffering, it is the result of sowing sin is wrong (John 9:1-3)." (emphasis mine)

The Bible is full of stories of those facing affliction for reasons other than sin.   Paul's thorn in the flesh, for example, was preventative -- not a result of sin.  The blind man in John 9 was not blind because of personal sin in his or his parent's lives.  The fact is, we have such limited perspective and we are incapable of determining why others are experiencing suffering.  A good friend, a godly friend would do just as Eliphaz started out doing:  Be present and listen.  Care without passing judgment.  Easier said than done, I know.  And sadly, we can all empathize with Eliphaz in that we too will often reach a point where we feel it is better to "speak our mind" in an effort to "help our friend".  Let us learn from Eliphaz's example that there are supernatural powers at work and that which is really needed is supernatural -- Christlike, grace-filled love and prayers.

Armor Upon Armor -- Psalm 3-5

by Diana Durrill

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protections over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.  For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield." - Psalm 5:11-12

The image of the Lord shielding me with favor is a beautiful thought, one that bring tremendous comfort to my heart.  As I face discouragement, temptation, or personal struggles of various kinds I can find great comfort in words such as these - that Jehovah has His protection spread over me, shielding me with favor!

In Spurgeon's Treasury of David  I found this gem:

The shield is not for the defense of any particular part of the body, as almost all the other pieces are: helmet, fitted for the head; plate, designed for the breast; and so others, they have their several parts, which they are fastened to; but the shield is a piece that is intended for the defense of the whole body. It was therefore to be made very large; for its broadness, called a gate or door, because so long and large, as in a manner to cover the whole body. And if the shield were not large enough at once to cover every part, yet being a movable piece of armor, the skillful soldier might turn it this way or that way, to catch the blow or arrow from lighting on any part they were directed to. And this indeed doth excellently well set forth the universal use that faith is of to the Christian. It defends the whole man: every part of the Christian by it is preserved. . . . . The shield doth not only defend the whole body, but it is a defense to the soldier's armor also; it keeps the arrow from the helmet as well as head, from the breast and breastplate also. Thus faith, it is armor upon armor, a grace that preserves all the other graces. - William Gurnall.

Some additional verses to consider:

"My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart."  - Psalm 7:2

 "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." - Psalm 18:2

"This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." - Psalm 18:30 

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." - Psalm 84:11 

"You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word." - Psalm 119:114 

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." - Ephesians 6:16

Thus faith, it is armor upon armor, 

a grace that preserves all the other graces. 

Shout of Faith - Joshua 6-10

submitted by Diana Durrill

"And when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him." -- Joshua 6:5

The shout of steadfast faith is in direct contrast  to the moans of wavering faith, and the to the wails of discouraged hearts.  Among the many "secrets of the Lord," I do not know of any that are more valuable than the secret of this shout of faith.  The Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have given into thine hand the hand of Jericho and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor."  He had not said, "I will give, " but "I have given."  It belonged to them already; and now they were called to take possession of it.  But the great question was, How?  It looked impossible, but the Lord declared His plan.

Now, no one can suppose for a moment that this shout caused the walls to fall.  And yet the secret of their victory lay in just this shout, for it was the shout of a faith which dared, on the authority of God's Word alone, to claim a promised victory, while as yet there were no signs of this victory being accomplished.  And according to their faith God did unto them; so that, when they shouted, He made the walls to fall.

God had declared that He had given them the city, and faith reckoned this to be true.  And long centuries afterward the Holy Ghost recorded this triumph of faith in Hebrews: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."

-- Hannah Whitall Smith

Faith can never reach its consummation,

Till the victor's thankful song we raise:

In the glorious city of salvation,

God has told us all the gates are praise.

The History of Our Need -- Genesis 4-7

by Diana Durrill

Flowing right along with our devotional from yesterday (Romans 3-4), in today's passage we get a clear glimpse at the history of sin and man's desperate need for grace.  Sin entered the world through the disobedient decisions of Adam & Eve, and now we read of the first murder.  Adam & Eve's son, Cain, murders his brother Abel in (what seems to us) a complete act of rage and jealousy.  It doesn't take long before sin is running rampant upon the earth and as early as Genesis 6 we find ourselves reading through the account of Noah and the utter wickedness of his generation.

Noah's generation was extremely corrupt.  And we know that because sin passed upon all men (or in other words, all men are born sinners - Romans 5:12), we know that Noah was also a sinner.  But -- Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  He found favor because he called on the name of the Lord.  (Gen. 4:26b)  He found favor because he lived by God's righteous standards, he was set apart from the wickedness of his peers, and he walked with God. (Gen. 5:9)  In short, Noah had a relationship with God.

God's work of redemption throughout history gives a beautiful account of Who He is and what He has done for mankind out of love for us.  He created us in His image and for His glory, and yet He gave us the freedom to choose sin over righteousness, disobedience over obedience, and self-glory over God's glory.  Over and over again in the coming weeks and months we will read of countless men and women who are in need of God's redemptive work in their lives.  Some (like Noah) will choose to surrender to His work, others (like Cain) will refuse.  With some we will shake our heads and arrogantly say, "What a fool," while with others will be humbled and ashamed as their lives reflect so much of our own.  But with each story that we read we have the opportunity to learn, to grow, to  allow ourselves to be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Through coming weeks as we immerse ourselves in this historical account chronicling man's need of God's saving grace, may we see ourselves more often than not.  May we -- like Noah -- choose to turn to God in humility and then walk in His gift of grace.  My prayer for myself is that I stand strong in my commitment to read through the Bible in 2013, choosing to open my mind and heart to the healing, redemptive work of God, knowing that in His time He will complete this work in me. (Philippians 1:6) I hope this is your prayer as well.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving -- Romans 3-4

by Diana Durrill

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.  This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.  It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." -- Romans 3:23-26 (emphasis mine)

It doesn't take much to make us understand that we are all sinners.  Few of us need to be convinced of that fact.  We know our hearts, we know our own sinfulness.  We know the ugliness of our thought life.  We know.  Romans 3:23 is a fact that few of us will try to deny.

How beautiful then are the words that follow verse 23 -- the ones that say we "are justified by His grace as a gift".  We know we don't deserve to be justified before God (justified means to be declared righteous or without sin).   We know that we stand before Him as convicts, guilty as charged.  And yet, because of the gift of His grace, we stand redeemed before God when we believe, in faith, on the finished work of Christ Jesus.  It is undeserved and unearned.

It is a gift.

And the grace with which we were given this gift, is the grace we should continue to walk in.  There is no earning God's favor, even after salvation.  God's favor always has been and always will be a gift.  It is the direct result of Him putting His Son forward, in our place, to be our substitute for our sin.  God continues see us dressed in the cloak of Christ's righteousness.

God's grace is a supernatural gift that keeps on giving.  (John 1:16) 

For so it is Written by the Prophet - Matthew 1-2

By Mike Durrill

Prophecy is a major part of the Scriptures and the fulfillment of those prophecies are a true test as to the accuracy God's Word. A study of Old Testament prophecies which have already come to pass would be a good study for all of us as it will cement even further into our hearts and minds the truth and accuracy of God's Words.

Matthew describes several times in these first two chapters an event that is taking place and then adds the phrase "for so it is written by the prophet", telling us that what had just occurred was predicted prior to the event by a prophet of God.

How does one know if a prophet is true or false? The book of Deuteronomy gives us clear instructions as to how to tell if a prophet is of God or not. When we get to that book in our reading pay special attention to those passages that speak of false and true prophets. Specifically chapters 13 and 18.

The events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ brought the fulfillment of many Biblical prophecies foretold hundreds and thousands of years prior to this well known event. Wonderful prophecies regarding even the most intricate of details.

Here is a link to a sermon by John MacArthur where he simply describes the Christmas prophecy foretold in the Old Testament and shows you the fulfillment in the New Testament. Remarkable truth that will encourage you today.

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-318/christmas-prophecies-fulfilled

My Basic Need - Isaiah 1-6

By Mike Durrill

[15] Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. [16] But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. - Isa 5:15-16 ESV

God declares earlier that He has raised up children and His children have rebelled against Him.

God chose Israel and had given them every opportunity to enjoy relationship with Him and yet they consistently turned their nose up at Jehovah and went their own way. It is the nature of man to rebel against God - thus the reason we need a new nature.

I was struck by the contrast in verse 15 and 16 of chapter 5. Man is humbled - God is exalted. Man is proud - of what? God is holy and shows it in His righteousness.

As I read through Isaiah I am always brought back again to my basic need. As Isaiah will state later in the book - I am poor, miserable, naked, and blind. I simply need God. I need Him to change me into a child of His.

I cannot attain to His holiness. I cannot measure up to His righteousness. There is nothing I have, nothing I can do that will change these spiritual facts. I am undone. These realizations give definition to my need - GRACE.


[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, - Rom 3:23-24 ESV

He Still Holds Fast His Integrity - Job 1-2

By Mike Durrill

[3] And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason." - Job 2:3 ESV

Here is a man who was blameless and upright. A man who feared God and shunned evil. A man whom was living in the blessing and grace of God. A man who was simply going about His life with God as His confidence, hope, and sustenance. Within two short chapters life as he knew it was over - His wealth? Gone. His children? Gone. Every enjoyment in life? Gone. His health? Gone. With the exception of his wife, every physical, human pleasure in life - vanished.

Yet here is a man who understood from his core that all of these possessions dwarfed in comparison to his relationship with God. He held fast to his integrity.

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to really hold on to several things at the same time? I have been known to run into the grocery store and neglect grabbing a cart thinking I will just grab a few things. I typically end up getting more than I thought and end up looking like an idiot trying to hold on to it all as I make my way to the cashier! Your laughing, but I know some of you men have done the same!

Job has his grip only on the most valuable. His feet are planted on the Rock that will never shift. He understood that all of the possessions of life were really not his to begin with - they were on loan from God, for he says, "[21] "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." - Job 1:21 ESV

We can learn much from Job's integrity. It is interesting that at the root of this word "integrity" is the word "simple". We do tend to complicate life, don't we? Perhaps we would be better served to stop for a minute and look down at what we are trying to carry. What are we holding fast to? Is it a Person or a thing?

At Job's core was an understanding of eternity. This perspective keeps life simple.

The Kingdom of the Messiah Psalm 1-2

By Mike Durrill

[1] Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, [3] "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." [4] He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. [5] Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, [6] "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." [7] I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. [8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. [9] You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." [10] Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. [11] Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. [12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. - Psalm 2:1-12 ESV

Psalm 2 is one of the many Messianic Psalms. It is quoted seven times in the New Testament: Acts 4:24-28; 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; and Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15. All of these references are applied to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ which is why it is a Messianic Psalm.

Here is an excellent devotional on Psalm 2 written by the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.

A few years ago, when archaeologists began excavating in the courtyard of a medieval monastery, they found seeds that had been dormant for more than 400 years that had begun to grow. King Henry VIII had closed the monastery in 1539, and the herbs tended by the monks died. But they sprouted to life again after the archaeologists disturbed the earth. 

The world views God's kingdom much like those medieval seeds: dormant, forgotten, and buried like a long-lost memory. But when the time comes for the kingdoms of this world to be delivered over to Jesus Christ, His millennial kingdom will suddenly burst onto the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is the true King, worthy of universal worship and praise. 

Psalm 2 is called a royal psalm, and for good reason. In it we see the coronation and exaltation of God's ""Anointed One"" or the Messiah, Jesus Christ. To those of us who know Him, this psalm is an encouraging reminder of Jesus' ultimate triumph and a joyous call to bow down and worship our Lord and King. But for ""the nations,"" the unbelieving world, Psalm 2 is a sober warning of the futility of trying to resist Christ's rule. Not only is Jesus the only Name under heaven by which people can be saved (Acts 4:12). He is also the only Ruler worthy to claim the allegiance of every person on earth.  The picture of God's breaking the rebellion of the nations and giving them to His Son to rule reminds us that the Lord we worship is also the Warrior who will defeat His enemies (Rev. 19:11-21). And the Savior we adore is also the Judge, who will shatter the opposition of those foolish enough to rebel against Him (Isa. 11:4). Because this is true, the earth's peoples are given wise advice in Psalm 2:10-12. A kiss in this context is a sign of homage. Those who choose to bow down and worship Jesus Christ, taking refuge in Him, will be safe. 

Is there anyone in your family or circle of acquaintances who does not know Jesus Christ as Savior? Ask God to lay someone close to you on your heart today, and begin to pray for that person's salvation. Or if you already have a loved one on your prayer list, bring that person before the King's throne in concentrated prayer. 

Knowledge then Fear - Joshua 1-5

By Mike Durrill


[23] For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, [24] so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever." - Joshua 4:23-24 ESV

Knowledge first. Then fear. Interesting, the order and meanings of these two words.

To know means to perceive and see; to find out and discern; to discriminate and distinguish; to know by experience; to recognize, admit, acknowledge, and confess.

To fear is to be afraid; to stand in awe; to reverence, honour, and respect.

Knowledge of God, in this case - that He indeed is mighty, results in people standing in awe, reverence, honor, and respect of Him, which is as it should be for Him and for us. Therefore, if knowledge of God leads to spiritual health, then it would stand to reason that our flesh and enemy would do everything in their power to keep us from this knowledge!

Yet it is God's will that all nations of the earth know Him. Why? To know God is to fear God. To know God is to reverence, honor, and respect Him. To know God is to worship God. To know God is to be known by Him.

On the flip side - to be ignorant of God is to be ignorant of truth. To be ignorant of God is to know no danger and yet be surrounded by it. To be ignorant of God is to be woefully ignorant of one's self. To be ignorant of God ultimately results in eternal death.

The response one naturally has when confronted with the knowledge of God is healthy fear - Awe. Reverence. Honour. Respect.

Only the fool says in his heart, there is no God.

And God saw that it was very good - Genesis 1-3

By Mike Durrill

The Genesis account of the creation of the universe has been read, studied, and intensely mulled over by each generation. There is one particular nagging constant which has been the impetus of the accidental evolutionary theory of how the universe came into existence, and that is this - If God created the universe, then what has been created must be accountable to its Creator. This is undeniable truth - We are accountable to our Creator. Every person who has ever lived to the age of understanding ought wrestle with this truth.

I believe that the Bible is the Word of God and so I believe that when God declares that He created, then He created. I also believe that He spoke the universe into existence. Call me naive, but I personally believe that it was done in six literal days as it states.

That being said, it struck me while reading again the first chapter of Beginnings that everything God made He examined and found to be good. He says it seven times! The light. The dry land. The seas. The trees, plants, and vegetation. The sun, moon, and stars. The fish, birds, and mammals. Man and Woman.

Everything- not just good, but very good.

The Apostle Paul writes, [4] For everything created by God is good... - 1Ti 4:4a ESV


It was all good, because He is good.

[1] Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! - Psa 106:1 ESV

As a believer - you are a new creation. Old things are passed away and look...all things are made new!


[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. - 2Cr 5:17 ESV


What God creates - He calls good. No, He calls very good.

Romans 1-2, Called by God

By Mike Durrill

In this introductory paragraph, Paul uses the word "called" three times in verse 1-7. In verse

1 Paul describes himself as one divinely appointed by God as an apostle - set apart for

the gospel of God. In verses 3 and 7 he uses it in regards to the recipients of the epistle

those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ and again to those who have been

called to be saints.

This word, "called" has a couple of meanings depending upon the context of the passage.

The calling by God in verse 1 is a unique calling directed toward Paul to fulfill a divinely

selected and appointed office - that of the apostle.

The calling in verses 6 and 7 is an invitation - not an invitation to a select few, but an

invitation to all who would choose to believe. This is confirmed later in the passage - [16]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone

who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. - Rom 1:16 ESV

As we begin 2013, I am thankful that I have been called to believe, that I believed, and that

God's grace enabled me to do so. The theological intricacies of these truths I leave in the

mind of God without pretending to have them all figured out. 

God give me the grace to now live this year as one who belongs to Jesus.