Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jul 24th Satan’s Greatest Weapon – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 28 – 31 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 3 – 4; Psalms 116 – 118; Proverbs 24)

Read the “0724 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)

Good morning. Do you remember when our country was controlled by the righteous? President George Washington, after he was sworn in, walked next door to pray in a small New York chapel. How he dedicated our new country to God. Every session of congress would open with prayer: our leaders asking God to direct their paths. Matthew Henry gave a comment on this verse…

“The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted.” (Matthew Henry)

In 1962, the Bible and prayer were taken out of schools: it was all down hill from there. Today we have kids embracing godless Socialism. Instead of being taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, they are taught that homosexuality is okay. If you are a boy, and identify as a girl, you are a girl. If you are a girl, and identify as a boy, you are a boy. And if you tell them that God made you a girl, or God made you a boy, you are labeled as a hater. You violated their rights. You hurt their little feelings. Poor baby. You can put on the clothes of the opposite sex, but you will still be what God made you. But the government says it’s okay, so it must be okay. Depressing isn’t it? Ecclesiastes 10:5 says…

“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.” (Ecclesiastes 10:5-6)

Even at the birth of Jesus there was wickedness in high places…

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” (Matthew 2:16-18)

Herod murdered many children of Bethlehem who were 2 years of age or under. When the Jews made their children pass through the fire to Baal, there were about 7000 children murdered: burned alive. Although abortion have slowed in past few years, in America there have been over 62 million abortions since Roe vs. Wade. Depressing when you see what our country has become? There is medication for depression. One of the side effects is thoughts of suicide. And depression is one of the devil’s most powerful tools. But we can fight it because we know Him who has all the power.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

And we also know where the devil is going to end up…

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:7-10)

So we know Who wins in the end. We also know that the devil will be cast into the lake of fire, where he will remain forever burning. But what can we do now?

1) Believe on the LORD that He will deliver you.

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1John 5:13)

2) Trust in the LORD that He will deliver you.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

3) Have faith that the LORD will deliver you.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

God is God, and His perfect plan is being executed. And you are included in that plan. Knowing that God is in control, knowing that you have a home in heaven, and knowing that Jesus is your Saviour is all you should need to get out of your depression. Don’t give the devil a bullet for his gun.

Peace.

Jul 17th A Cry Goes Out – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage –Proverbs 7 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

Read the “0717 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.” (Proverbs 8:1-4)

Good morning. I think about all the warnings shouted out before disaster strikes. We could still be under the rule of a king or queen if Paul Revere did not make his historic ride, warning that the British were coming. Sensors monitoring fault lines warn that an earthquake can strike. There are devices on the ocean floor that warn of tsunamis. A green sky with rain, hail, and wind could warn that a tornado may be coming. A red hourglass shape on a spider warns: stay away, I’m a poisonous Black Widow. And a violin shape warns of a Brown Recluse spider. “DANGER! DO NOT ENTER” reads a sign on a fence. A warning is only good if you heed it. Heed the cry that wisdom and understanding shout out…

“O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.” (Proverbs 8:5)

You need to start somewhere…

1) Have an understanding heart and understand wisdom.

Hear…

“Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.” (Proverbs 8:6-9)

2) Receive instruction and knowledge.

“Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” (Proverbs 8:10-11)

Did you receive instruction and knowledge? Then you should have understanding…

“Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (Proverbs 8:14-21)

3) Be blessed by keeping the ways of understanding.

“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” (Proverbs 8:32-34)

4) There is life in wisdom and understanding.

“For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:35-36)

A cry goes out; heed the warning.

Peace.

Jul 10th I Will Walk At Liberty – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalm 119 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 19 – 20; Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)

Read the “0710 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:45)

Good morning. The second verse of America The Beautiful reads…

O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress,

A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

See those last four words? Our freedom is in the law: God’s Law. We have perfect liberty in God’s perfect Law. There is a Hebrew word that has been translated as enough, large, wide, broad, and proud: rachab (raw-khawb’). That is except for one verse in the whole Old Testament. In Psalm 119:45, it is translated liberty. It is good to know that all the liberty you have is…

1) Enough.

“Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.” (2Kings 4:1-7)

When the widow filled all the containers, the oil stopped. She had enough: enough to sell, pay off her debt, and live off the rest: enough.

2) Large, wide, and broad.

When we walk after God’s Precepts, His Law, He gives us all the space we need. Great is the liberty He gives us.

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19)

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11-12)

3) Proud.

Wait a minute, I thought that God did not like pride? He doesn’t. The translation was proud not pride. Thank the Lord for Google. In the British language, proud means slightly projecting from a surface. The example was given: “When the brake is engaged, the lever does not stand proud of the horizontal.”

When I engage my brake lever in my KIA Soul, it only comes up about one and a half inches, so in my case, the brake lever DOES stand proud of the horizontal.

“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” (Matthew 17:24-27)

All it took was a piece of money to keep from offending the tribute collectors. God provided it, Peter gave it, and the collectors received it. Such a small price to pay for obedience pleasing to God.

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:45)

Peace.

Jul 3rd Seven Truths To Walk In – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalm 86 – 89 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 5 – 6; Psalms 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)

Read the “0703 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.” (Psalm 86:1)

Good morning. We have here a prayer of David. And we also know that David was a man after God’s own heart. We should be able to learn something about his relationship with God, and what may be missing from our walk with the LORD.

1) See yourself as David saw himself: poor and needy.

“LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:” (Psalm 10:17)

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:8-10}

2) Set yourself aside for God’s use.

“Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.” (Psalm 86:2)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1Peter 1:15-16)

3) Pray daily.

“Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.” (Psalm 86:3-7)

4) Praise Him.

“Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.” (Psalm 86:8-10)

5) Walk in His Truth.

“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” (Psalm 86:11)

6) Glorify God.

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” (Psalm 86:12)

7) Thank God for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do for you.

“For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.” (Psalm 86:13-17)

Trust and Obey

Don Moen

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Peace!

Jun 26th Forgiveness – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalms 51 – 57 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Revelation 4 – 6; Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26)

Read the “0626 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:1-4)

Good morning. David sinned. He committed adultery with Bathsheba. He tried lying to cover up the pregnancy. When that didn’t work, he had her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. But nothing escapes the eyes of the LORD. David’s sin found him out. David cried out for mercy. Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and according to the Law, David deserved death. Notice this about the sins we commit…

1) Your sin will be always before you.

The guilt you have will not leave you until you confess it, and ask God for forgiveness.

2) All sin is against God.

God gave us His preferences, and His Ten Commandments. When we break them, we sin against God.

3) Only God can give you mercy.

And His mercy endures forever.

4) Your joy and gladness will be fleeting.

You may be happy for a little while, but that will disappear quickly.

5) When you sin, your relationship with God will be broken.

But God is waiting to hear from you.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:8-9)

And this is something we all must do. You see, we are all sinners…

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

That’s what David did…

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” (Psalms 51:1-12)

And the LORD did so…

“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.” (2Samuel 12:13-14)

Sometimes there are consequences to our sin: our sin will affect those around us. But God is still waiting for you to confess an forsake your sin.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

Peace.

Jun 19th He Drew Me Out – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalms 17 – 20 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Hebrews 9 – 13; Psalms 91 – 95; Proverbs 19)

Read the “0619 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.” (Psalm 18:15-16)

Good morning. As I was reading these two verses from chapter 18 of Psalms, I couldn’t help but think about the flooding in Nepal, and the rescue of the people, who climbed to higher ground. They were picked up by Nepali Army helicopters. But it was the LORD who drew David out of many waters.

As I’m writing this, ten people were killed. Only the LORD knows how many more of those listed as missing. The main religion of Nepal is Hinduism. Hinduism has been estimated to contain as many as 330 million gods, or deities. And, as few as one main god, four lower gods, and 33 lesser gods. Those who practice Hinduism total 81.3% of the population. But David said…

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:2-3)

The problems we face may seem like an overwhelming flood of waters seeking to drown us. Just like David, the LORD will lift us out…

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

But…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

No matter what the problem. No mater what flood waters are bringing you down. God can save us from them. Confess and forsake the sins you are holding onto and He will hear. Ask the LORD for the help you need.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.” (Psalm 18:4-21)

Peace.

Jun 12th My Righteousness I Hold Fast – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Job 27 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – 2 Thessalonians 1 – 3; Psalms 56 – 60; Proverbs 12)

Read the “0612 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” (Job 27:1-6)

Good morning. Job is sticking to his guns: he did nothing wrong. His friends said yes you did. After all, why else would you be going through all of this? And Job told them…

“God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” (Job 27:5)

Job was holding fast to his righteousness: he would not let it go. The LORD spoke through Ezekiel and had this to say about Job’s righteousness…

“Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” (Ezekiel 14:13-20)

But Isaiah says…

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

That goes right along with Romans 3:10…

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:10-11)

Even Jesus said…

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

Are you better than the Scribes and Pharisees? Is your righteousness greater than their righteousness? Paul explains…

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith…” (Philippians 3:8-9)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus took all our sins on Himself, and gave us His perfect righteousness. When God looks at us, He sees all the good that His Son did. We can not make it with our own righteousness…

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

That’s why Jesus said that you must be born again: receive Him as your Saviour.

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1John 5:11-13)

Still trusting in your own righteousness? You will never make it to Heaven. Receive Jesus as your Saviour, and He will give you His righteousness…

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Peace.

Jun 5th Life Happens – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Job 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Galatians 1 – 3; Psalms 21 – 25; Proverbs 5)

Read the “0605 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2:9-10)

Good morning. Job just lost his livestock, his seven sons and three daughters, and now he lost his health. It would have been easy for Job to heed what his wife was saying: to curse God and die. That would be the easy way out. But life happens. If you were to look at the cover of my old Bible, the one that has gone missing, you would see my name and my verse. It’s John16:33.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John16:33)

Like I said, life happens. And in this world ye shall have tribulation. Notice it is not written: MAY have tribulation, but SHALL have tribulation. Life happens, and it’s made up of good times as well as bad times. If you look at life in America today, it is easy to get discouraged. The Bible gives us the answer, and shows us how not to be discouraged.

1) God is in control.

“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” (Job 1:9-11)

“And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” (Job 2:4-7)

God has the devil on a leash. Satan can’t make a move unless God allows it. What ever you are going through, good or bad…

2) God can make it all good.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

If we know this, then everything will work out in the end, and God gets all the glory.

“On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.” (Nehemiah 13:1-2)

3) If you have God, you have everything.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:23-25)

God upheld Job with His hand. Job trusted in the Lord, and the Lord did not forsake him. And what was the result?

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.” (Job 42:10-17)

Peace.

May 29th A Right Way For Us – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Ezra 8 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – 1 Corinthians 1 – 4; Psalm 136 – 140; Proverbs 29)

Read the “0529 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” (Ezra 8:21)

Good morning. Do you know what you’re doing? Do you think you know what you’re doing? Do you know what you are supposed to do? Are you doing what God wants you to do? Verse 21 tells us that Ezra and the people fasted to get a hold of God. Where do you begin to rebuild a city? What is God’s perfect will in the matter? Ezra had told the king something he knew about God…

“For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.” (Ezra 8:22)

What kind of stand do you take on God? What kind of faith do you have in Him? Is your God powerful enough to protect you? Do you have faith in Him?

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

They had to afflict their flesh by fasting and diligently seeking Him. They prayed and asked the LORD for protection and wisdom in the way they should go.

1) The right way for us begins with prayer and asking God for help and direction.

“Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.” (Ezra 9:1-4)

2) The right way for us is to humble ourselves and confess our sins.

In this case it was the abominations they did in marrying strange wives: their wives influenced them in committing their abominations.

“And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.” (Ezra 9:6-7)

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2Corinthians 6:16-18)

3) The right way for us is to make things right with God.

“Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.” (Ezra 10:1-2)

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)

The only way back to God is on His terms. And He is waiting as the loving father with the prodigal son to receive him back. Will you come back?

Peace.

May 22nd Jehoram’s Epithet – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 21 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 19 – 21; Psalms 106 – 110; Proverbs 22)

Read the “0522 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers. Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.” (2Chronicles 21:19-20)

Good morning. How would you like that for an epithet? Jehoram was just 40 years old when he departed this world without being desired. Why?

“Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.” (2Chronicles 21:5-6)

His great grandfather, Solomon said…

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

Jehoram chose sin. What will you choose?

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

We all have a death sentence hanging over our heads.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…” (Romans 3:10)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned…” (Romans 5:12)

Your final destination without Jesus is Hell; you cannot save yourself…

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

You only have to call on the name of Jesus to forgive you and He will.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John6:37-40)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

And Jesus said…

“…It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:6-8)

Don’t be a Jehoram, go with the Lord Jesus Christ: the only One that can save you from eternity in Hell.

Peace.