Sin Lieth At The Door
Today’s Passage – Genesis 4 – 6 (Click on the reference to listen to the audio. Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 3 – 4; Proverbs 2; Psalms 6 – 10)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Joshua 1:8
Read the “0102 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “Walking with God,” “Instead of Abel: God’s Plan B;” “Shining Brightly in a Dark World,” “Respect,” and “Grieving God.”
“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Gen 4:7)
“4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Heb 11:4)
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom 6:14)
In Genesis 4, we read the familiar story of the slaying of Abel by his brother Cain. The events leading up to Cain’s murder of his brother are very interesting. Cain and Abel each brought their individual offerings to the Lord. Cain offers to the Lord from “the fruit of the ground,” presumably something from his garden. Abel, on the other hand, offered an animal sacrifice to the Lord, which caught God’s attention because God “had respect unto … his offering,” which means he gazed upon it and considered it. By the way, the Bible does not say that God was angry with Cain’s offering or that Cain’s offering was somehow sinful in itself; it just says that God did not have “respect” for it, meaning that it did not cause Him to look or gaze upon it in the same way that his brother’s offering did. Cain’s offering represented the work of his own hands from his labor in the garden. Again, it was certainly right for Cain to give back to the Lord a portion of what the Lord had blessed him with, but it seems that Cain was offering this fruit as a means of obtaining God’s favor, and as an atonement for his sins. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that “without shedding of [Christ’s] blood is no remission.” God was very pleased with Abel’s offering because it was a blood sacrifice, which pictured the blood that the Lord Jesus would someday shed on Calvary for the sins of the world.
What does the phrase ‘sin lieth at the door’ mean?
There is a phrase in verse seven that has always intrigued me: “if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” What does this mean? There are some theologians who believe that the word “sin” in that verse means “sin offering.” The Hebrew word for sin in verse seven is chatta’ath, which has been translated into the phrase “sin offering” over 100 times in other Old Testament passages. This theory is very logical in that when people did sin, they could offer a sin offering, which served as a type or picture of Christ’s offering of Himself on the Cross. The sin offering represented a contrite and repentant offering that demonstrated an agreement with God about the seriousness of the sin and a willingness to turn away from it in the future.
However, in my opinion the phrase in Genesis 4:7 is not speaking about a sin offering, but rather it is alluding to a personification of sin that is waiting to pounce on us like a ravenous beast and put us in bondage if we yield to it. The Hebrew verb rāḇaṣ translated here as “lieth” is used one other place in the Old Testament to speak of a lion who “couched” (Gen 49:9). The Scripture speaks of Satan this way:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Pe 5:8)
Cain was angry because God did not respect his offering as He did Abel’s, and that anger inside of Cain was driving him over the edge. Anger in itself is not a sin, but it can cause us to sin, and this is certainly what happened to Cain. His anger turned into wrath and in his wrath he murdered his brother. God was warning Cain that his anger, which was completely unjustified because it was directed against a righteous God, was going to lead him further down the road into sinful actions. Even though Cain’s anger was an emotion that he perhaps could not control, he should still have repented of the way he felt, recognizing that his emotions were not in agreement with God. And he could have asked God to help him deal with his emotions. Instead, however, he allowed his unjustified anger to cause him to go out the door of God’s will where sin pounced on him.
How does this speak to our lives today?
Don’t allow sinful thoughts or even irrational emotions to develop into actions that are in rebellion to the will of God. Think of ways that this could play out in life today. What would you do when a co-worker gets recognized, commended, or promoted for their work and you are not? Do you rejoice with that person (Rom 12:15) who was promoted or do you get jealous, angry, or bitter against either the boss or the person who was rewarded. Those feelings are powerful and could cause you to cross the line and say or do something that you will later regret.
What can you do:
- Recognize that your thoughts and emotions may very well be rooted in your sinful flesh and are thus, outside the will of God. Cain’s anger was a result of his jealousy. He was jealous of his brother because God was pleased with Abel’s offering, and “did not have respect” unto his own. He wasn’t thinking right to start with, which eventually lead to more irrational thinking.
- Restrain your thoughts, emotions, and actions. The last phrase in verse seven, “and thou shalt rule over him,” literally means that we must rule over our sinful thoughts and emotions – we must control them. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, we can have victory over our sinful thoughts. Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “for sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom 6:14) We can control what we think about (Phil 4:8), and we can “cast down sinful or irrational imaginations. (2 Cor 10:5)
- Repent and ask God to help you. Turn away from the sinful direction with which you were heading. Ask God to help you. I think God wants to help you do what pleases Him.
Don’t be like Cain. A sinful progression eventually caused him to murder his only brother. What a shame. It didn’t have to happen to him, and it doesn’t have to happen to us either.
Questions for Reflections
What sin is lying at your door today, and how can you rule over it through the Holy Spirit?
Have you ever allowed your emotions in the past to cause you to cross the line into sin?
What would you do today differently to keep that from happening again?
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Genesis and tagged anger, anger management, blood atonement, Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:7, Holy Spirit victory over sin, jealousy, roaring lion, Satan, sin, sin offering by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Two Becoming One
Today’s Passage – Genesis 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 1 – 2; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Deuteronomy 32:4
Read the “0101 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s reading – “Not Finished Yet;” “In the Beginning;” “He Is Still Creating Me;” “Let There Be Light;” “Just Don’t Do It;” and “Subdue and Replenish“
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. … And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. … And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-24)
A Book of Beginnings
Genesis is a Book about beginnings. In these first three chapters, we discover the beginning of our universe and earth, with all of the living things, including men and women, created by God in those first six days, six thousand years or so, ago. Unfortunately, we also learn about the beginning sin in chapter three, which brought about physical death and a spiritual separation from God.
The Beginning of Marriage
In chapter two, we see the beginning of marriage. God actually created out of Adam’s own body the perfect spouse for him. Had sin not entered into the world, they would have experienced a perfect relationship and a perfect life together.
The Need for Companionship
Let’s notice a few things about this first marriage. First of all, notice that the woman was created to meet a need that God knew that Adam had. He was alone. All of the animals had mates, but Adam had no-one to experience life with. God states that Eve would be “an help meet (or suitable helper).” The word “help” is a noun, meaning helper, and the word “meet” means suitable or appropriate. God made Adam a suitable or qualified helper. She would be able to meet all of Adam’s needs. She would be his companion as well as his helper, and she would bear children for him.
An Unpopular Concept in Contemporary Culture
I fully realize that the description that I just gave is not popular in our culture today, but it is what is taught here in Genesis 2. While Eve was created to meet Adam’s needs, their union shows how husbands and wives are designed to complete and uplift one another equally in God’s plan.
Paul referred to this in his letter to the Corinthians:
“For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” (1 Corinthians 11:8-9)
Now before you ladies get mad at me, let me say that I do not believe that God created Eve to be inferior in any way to Adam. Adam and Eve were designed to complete each other perfectly—meeting one another’s needs in companionship, support, and family. I believe that Adam, though created first, was designed to meet every need that Eve would have as well. Adam and Eve would complete each other. The man and the woman were each uniquely designed by God to fulfill the areas where the other may have lacked.
Intimacy within the Marriage Relationship
The second point that I would like to make regarding this first marriage is that these two individuals were created to become “one flesh.” This means so much more than just the physical relationship, though physical intimacy is an expression and a picture of the married couple’s being “one flesh.” But “one flesh” means so much more. It means that the couple is together in every area. Every decision is to be made together, or at least with consideration to the other’s wishes. True intimacy goes well beyond the physical relationship and includes our innermost thoughts. My wife and I can often finish each other’s sentences because we know each other so well. This “one flesh” relationship should supersede all other earthly relationships. No other relationship should be permitted to come between the husband and wife. There should be no secrets in a “one flesh” relationship; no separate bank accounts; no prenuptial agreements, just in case things do not work out. Marriage is an “all in” relationship. That is why it should not be entered into lightly. It is the biggest earthly decision that you will make in this life.
Marriage is a Picture of Christ and His Bride – the Church
We should all resolve this year to have a marriage relationship that paints a beautiful picture of Christ and His Bride, the Church.
Consider what Paul stated about marriage in his letter to the Ephesians:
- Mutual Submission
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
- The Wife Does Her Part
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
- The Husband Does His Part
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
- The Great Mystery Pictured in the Marriage Relationship
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”(Ephesians 5:21-33)
Resolve This Year to Work at Having a Great Marriage
Today is the first day of a new year. Those of us who have been blessed with marriage should spend some time this year reflecting on the relationship that we have with our spouse. Ask yourself if your marriage relationship is a picture of what God intended by “one flesh,” or is it more of what the world would say marriage should be. This year, consider one specific way you can better ‘cleave’ to your spouse—perhaps through regular date nights, shared prayer, or open conversations about finances and dreams. How does your marriage currently reflect the ‘one flesh’ unity God intended? What one area could you both work on in 2026?
Lord, in this new year of 2026, help husbands and wives build ‘one flesh’ unions that reflect Your perfect design and the sacrificial love of Christ for His Church. Draw us closer to our spouses and closer to You. Amen.
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Genesis and tagged Biblical Marriage, Christ and the Church, Christian living, Creation, Ephesians 5, family, Genesis 2, intimacy, Marriage, New Year's Resolution, one flesh by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
Resolve To Be Transformed in 2026
Today’s Passage – Your Favorite Passage
(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8
Read the “1231 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
As we step into 2026 tomorrow, many are making resolutions—but here’s a better resolve: let God transform you from the inside out.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Problem with Traditional Resolutions
Tomorrow begins the New Year, which is traditionally the time that people make all kinds of resolutions regarding things that they want to see changed in their lives. Some want to lose weight, others want to become more organized, and some want to quit some bad habit; the list is endless. In the past, I would make many resolutions but, unfortunately, was unable to keep many of them. This year, I have resolved not to resolve. You may be asking, “what do you mean by that preacher?” What I mean is that I have resolved to stop trying to fix the myriads of things in my life that need fixing. No, I have not thrown in the towel on trying to live the Christian life. On the contrary, I have discovered a better way to see the necessary changes take place.
God’s Better Way: Transformation from Within
This year, instead of exercising my will power to change things in my life, I have opted to turn the whole process over to God. I have figured out that the closer I get to Him, the more He will chip away at the things in my life that need to go. Let me give you a verse that has been on my mind a lot lately:
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
This verse tells me that God works with our will. Our will is really the problem, isn’t it? Paul said that the inside of him was no good thing, “for to will is present with [him].” Resolutions are about our will, but transformation is about the will of God. We may desire to see things fixed in our lives, but then our will changes and the fixing stops. However, when transformation takes place from the inside, God not only changes our will but also implements the changes that need to take place.
Your Part in God’s Process
You may be thinking: “what do I have to do?” This is too good to be true. I don’t have to do anything? God does all the work? Well, you do have to draw nigh to God. He says that if you do that, He will draw nigh (get close) to you. To get close to Him, you are going to have to spend more time with Him, reading His Word, and praying. You will also have to spend less time with the world. The world also desires to conform you to what it wants you to be. You see, the world will also mess with your will. If you spend enough time pursuing the things of this world, your thinking will also change; your desires will change. The same is also true with God. Get with Him. Saturate yourself in prayer and the Word, and God will begin to chip away at all the rough edges in your life, and you will gradually become a vessel more “meet” (fitted) for the Master’s use.
Things That You Can Do
- Commit to a daily Bible reading plan
- Set a goal to read the Bible through – follow the daily plan used on this site, which includes a regal daily reading through the entire Bible and also some “second miler” passages.
- Set aside dedicated prayer time each morning
- Keep a prayer list
- Limit screen time or social media to reduce worldly influences
- Join a discipleship program
Your Three Choices This New Year
This New Year, you have some choices to make. You can decide to do nothing: throw in the towel and wait out the return of Christ. You can also decide to make a long list of things that you want to see changed, goals that you want to see accomplished, etc., and set out through your will power, your tenacity, to implement those things. You may even be successful in fulfilling some of them. Door number three is the option that I am choosing. I am going to take some tangible steps this year to get as far away from the world and as close to God as I possibly can. Then I am going to sit back and watch what He does in my life. No goals this year, just God.
Questions for Reflection
- What ‘worldly’ influence could you pull back from this year to make more room for God?
- What is your plan for reading the Bible through completely this year?
Posted in Devotions and tagged Bible Reading Plan, New Year's, resolutions, trancformation by Phil Erickson with 5 comments.
No More At All: Lessons from Babylon’s Fall in Revelation 18
Today’s Passage – Revelation 16 – 19 (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 – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 29)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – James 4:10
Read the “1229 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s passage – “It Will All Be Gone Someday” and “Supper’s Almost Ready.”
“And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. … And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” (Revelation 18:14, 21-23)
The Context of Revelation 17 and 18
The prophetic context of these chapters in Revelation is the Great Tribulation Period, which is a time yet future when the true Church of Jesus Christ will already have been removed from the earth via the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51 – 52; Revelation 4:1). If you are saved, you will not have to worry about all this crazy stuff that is prophesied here because it will all happen after we are gone. Praise the Lord!
In Revelation 17, the focus is on the fall of religious Babylon, which I believe is a reference to the religious system, an ecumenical and apostate church that will be in place during the first half of the Tribulation Period. This system will be destroyed by Antichrist and replaced by a system of worship headed up by his false prophet (the second beast) and will be centered in the worship of himself (Antichrist). In chapter 18, the focus is on on commercial Babylon.
Is “Babylon” Literal or Figurative?
The question arises as to whether “Babylon” here refers to the actual geographical location on the Euphrates River where the city of Babylon was once located when it was the capitol of the world back in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Or, is Babylon a symbolic reference to the capitol of Antichrist’s kingdom. It is possible that wherever Antichrist’s headquarters is located geographically that it could be given the name, “Babylon.” While the actual location of this capital city may not be precisely known, we do know that it will be the center of both religion and commerce during the Tribulation Period.
Nothing Left!
My focus for this devotion is on the repeated statement in Revelation 18:9 – 19, “no more at all.” In these verses we see that all of the things that people think to be supremely important – the “merchandise” along with the wealth that could purchase it, was all stripped away, until there was nothing left. Everything that they valued was taken from them.
The Supply Chain Glitch During Covid
In recent years, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw grocery stores shelves stripped of their merchandise. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies were all being rationed, and there were shortages of food items as well. Perhaps, that was just a small glimpse of what is coming someday in the Tribulation Period. Possessions and pleasures are so important to people, but God will someday take away all that these people hold so dear.
Beware of Covetousness
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about the love of money and possessions:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
Jesus also taught extensively about covetousness.
“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)
What Do You Value Most in Life?
Christian, we know that these Tribulation verses do not apply to us in the Church, but let’s try to make a practical application from the passage. The people in Revelation 18 are mourning because all the things that they lived for – the things that were most important to them – were taken from them. How about you? Do you place an unhealthy value on the things that this world has to offer? Do possessions even matter at all when compared with eternity? We need to be careful that we do not get to the place where our possessions become idols. We need things to live, but the things that matter most are not the tangible trinkets that commercial Babylon produces. The things that are really important in this life will follow us into eternity.
Take a moment today to evaluate your priorities—what “treasures” are you storing up? Share in the comments how this passage speaks to you.
Posted in Devotions and tagged Antichrist, Babylon, covetousness, materialism, Rapture, Revelation 18 by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl – For His Pleasure
Today’s Passage – Revelation 4 – 10 (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 – Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 27)
Read the “1227 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)
God created all things, and for His pleasure they are and were created. Even the United States of America. For His pleasure. In 2010, the United States sent out 127,000 of an estimated 400,000 missionaries. There were 32,400 missionaries that were sent to the United States from other countries in 2010 also. In 2010, there was an estimated 314,000 Christian churches across the United States. And in 1998 the porn industry was making almost 1 billion dollars per year. Leviticus 18 says…
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness. The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her. And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 18:1-30)
What are your eyes focused on? Does it bring pleasure to the Lord?
Peace.
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with 1 comment.
The Saturday Morning Post – My Worst Enemy
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click hereto view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Good morning. This is about my worst enemy. Actually the devil is our worst enemy, but excluding that snake, I guess this is about my other worst enemy. My worst enemy has some things in common with our worst enemy. He does not want me to hold fast my profession of faith, he would rather see me wavering. He would rather me crawl into a shell than to provoke others unto love and good works. And as the day approaches, he seems to be working overtime. The apostle Paul even wrote about him…
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:15-25)
My worst enemy is me. While reading Proverbs 16, I got a solution for suppressing my worst enemy, even sending him into remission…
“When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)
According to this verse, God’s Word, and God’s Word is truth, if my ways please the Lord, He can even make my enemies to be at peace with me. How can we please the Lord? Have Faith…
“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)
And where do we get faith from? From God’s Word…
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”(Romans 10:17)
And how do we know if we have heard God’s Word? Think about your kids…
“Go clean your room!!!!!!!!!!”, you scream.
Is it clean? If it is clean, your kids heard.
God gives us things to do in the Bible. Are you reading your Bible on a daily basis. That would be a good place to start. Do you pray daily? The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. How about soul winning? He who winneth souls is wise. Do think it would be wise to leave a tract with the gas station attendant. How about sending a tract back in the “junk mail” you get. The postage is already paid for too. It’s all part of the Great Commission . Do you think it would be pleasing to God? We are to provoke one another to good works. Are you?
“When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”(Proverbs 16:7)
Peace.
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
Christ is Better: An Introduction to the Book of Hebrews
Today’s Passage – Philemon – Hebrews 4 (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 – Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 27:15
Read the “1218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read a previous post from this passage – “Paul – A Peacemaker, Problem Solver, and Picture of Christ.”
“1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. … 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:” (Hebrews 1:1-4, 8-10)
The readers to The Epistle to the Hebrews are apparent in the name. Hebrews is written to Hebrews. People who had been brought up in Judaism and converted to Christianity needed to be reinforced in order to keep them encouraged and to prevent them from the temptation of turning their backs on Christ and going back to the traditions that they were raised in. Imagine the man that grew up in a Jewish home: everyone he knows has believed the same way for his or her entire life; his family in many cases has disowned him, his friends have now left him, and his business associates will no longer trade with him. This type of sacrifice is something that we cannot completely understand in the culture that we live in today. He begins to wonder, is this sacrifice really worth it? Is this Christian religion truly the religion that Abraham and Moses and David looked to? Is Jesus really the Messiah? The Letter to the Hebrews reassures the Jewish believer that he is exactly where he needs to be.
It also gives the Jew who is not yet a Christian something to think about. Christianity had caused quite a stir in the first century. There were many Jews who were giving closet consideration to the doctrines of Christ. This Letter would answer many of their questions and would give some the faith that they needed to yield to their true Messiah.
Many (including me) attribute this letter to Paul, but the letter was actually written anonymously. Though the human author is unknown, the divine Author makes His supremacy clear. The Letter to the Hebrews can be divided into three key sections:
1 The Person of Christ is Better (1:1 – 2:4)
2 The Principles of Christianity are Better (2:5 – 10:39)
3 The Practices of Christians are Better (11:1 – 13:25)
You might ask – better than what? – Better than the shadow that they had in Judaism. Christ was the substance – the Old Testament worship system was filled with shadows and types that were mere pictures of the reality. The Old Testament Temple was merely a type of the true temple in Heaven. The sacrificial system pictured and pointed to the true sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.
Key Words and Phrases in Hebrews
- Better – 13 times (Hebrews 1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24)
- Perfect, Perfection, Perfected – 12 times (Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; 6:1; 7:11; 7:19; 9:9; 9:11; 10:1; 10:14; 11:40; 12:23; 13:1)
- Let us – 12 times (Hebrews 4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1; 12:28; 13:13; 13:15)
Note – The Law said, “Thou shalt”, or “Thou shalt not”; the New Covenant says, “Let us.”
- heavenly – 6 times (Hebrews 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23; 11:16; 12:22)
- eternal (5 times – Hebrews 5:9; 6:2; 9:12, 14, 15) and for ever (9 times – Hebrews 1:8; 5:6; 6:20; 7:17; 7:21; 10:12; 10:14; 13:8; 13:21)
The Deity of Christ
Beyond these repeated themes, Hebrews wastes no time establishing Christ’s full deity. We would be remiss in this brief introductory discussion of Hebrews if we did not point out that this book clearly teaches the deity of Christ. Right out of the gate, in the first chapter there are several references that point to the fact that Jesus is God. For instance, it clearly establishes Christ as both the Creator (“made the worlds – v. 2) and Sustainer (upholding all things by the word of his power” – v. 3) of the universe. The Son is even referred to as “God” by the Father in verse 9. The writer also declares that Christ is the “express image” of God (χαρακτήρ – charaktēr – v. 3), meaning that everything that God is was expressed in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Christ and Christianity are better than all that Judaism could offer, because the “Author and Finisher” (Hebrews 12:2) of the Christian Faith is God incarnate; God in human flesh. As we study Hebrews, let’s remember that following Christ isn’t just ‘different’—it’s eternally better. What area of your life needs the reminder that Jesus is superior today?
What does “better” mean to you in your walk with Christ?
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Christmas Decorations
Today’s Passage – 2 Timothy 3 – Titus 3; (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 – Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 3:1
Read previous posts from this passage – “Sometimes You Have To Stand Alone,“ and “Perilous Times.“
Read the “1217 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.“ (Titus 2:6-10)
Notice in verse 7 the phrase, “shewing thyself a pattern,” and then also, “shewing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” Notice also in verse 10 the word, “adorn.” The Greek word that is translated “adorn” here in Titus 2:10 is the word “kosmeo,” which means to arrange in order, or to decorate or ornament. Sometimes kosmeo is translated into the word “garnish”:
“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;” (Rev 21:19)
The precious stones referenced in Rev 21:19 are ornaments and serve to make Heaven more beautiful. In fancy restaurants they will garnish the plates of food, which makes the presentation of the food more appealing.
We understand what it means to adorn, garnish, or decorate. This is the time of year that we talk a lot about decorations and ornaments. My wife Cindy loves to drive around and look at the Christmas light displays with all the beautiful decorations that brighten up our lives during this wonderful season of the year.
More than any other time of the year, Christmas is the time for decorations. We decorate our homes with lights. We buy Christmas trees and decorate them with ornaments. We adorn our presents with colorful wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows. At the church, we have beautiful poinsettia plants, and a Christmas tree with lights and bows. There are wreaths on our front door. These are all ornaments or decorations. They are designed to reflect in a visible, outward way, the spirit of the Christmas holiday.
Our text today in Titus 2 tells us that there are ways that we can “adorn” in a visible way the doctrine of the Saviour that we have received on the inside. We can make God and the Christian faith look good to those around us. Adorning or garnishing or decorating the doctrine of God is the best kind of decoration that we can display, not only at Christmas, but also throughout the year.
By adorning the doctrine of God we glorify the Lord, which is our primary job while here on this earth:
“Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.” – (Psalm 22:23)
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” – (Psalm 34:3)
By adorning the doctrine of God, we will also be more effective as His ambassador to this world:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 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.” – (2 Cor 5:17-21)
How can you adorn the doctrine of God? How can you make your faith in God look good to this world?
- Stay faithful to God – the world can see if you are faithful or not. Put God first in your life. Don’t let anything take the place of God in your list of priorities. Your job cannot come before God. Your hobbies cannot come before God. Your relationships with anyone else, including your family, cannot come before your relationship with God.
- Live separately from the world – when the Christian participates in the ungodly practices of this world, he does the exact opposite of adorning the doctrines of God. He detracts from glorifying God and will be ineffective as God’s ambassador.
- Speak the truth in love – look for opportunities to tell people about the wonderful grace of God.
- Look for ways to love and bless people.
This Christmas season, which of these four ways will you focus on to adorn the doctrine of God?
There is a lot of ugliness in our world, even at Christmastime. The Christian has been given the wonderful privilege and awesome responsibility of countering the darkness and brightening up the world he lives in by “putting on Christ” (Romans 13:14) and adorning the doctrine of God. Magnify the Lord; make Him look good, big, and beautiful to the people around you.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Study to be Quiet
Today’s Passage – 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5; (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 –Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32
Read other posts from this passage – “What’s Right With It,” and “What’s Your Reputation Like?“
“9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
For more information regarding the historical context of the Thessalonian Letters, click here.
Many of us are drawn to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and its glorious promise of the rapture. But the verses just before it (4:9-12) give us something equally vital: clear, everyday instructions for how we should live while we wait.
- Increase in Brotherly Love (vs. 9 – 10)
The first thought that I want to pull from this passage comes from the phrase “more and more” found in verse ten. We see this phrase also in verse one where Paul encourages them to “abound more and more” in their walk (behavior or lifestyle) and in pleasing the Lord generally. Here in verse ten, Paul is admonishing them to increase in their love for each other.
“34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
Notice that the Lord said that this is how the world will know that we are truly believers. Paul commends the Thessalonians here for the love that they already had for other believers, not only within the city of Thessalonica but also throughout all of Macedonia, which included Philippi and Berea also.
- Living Quiet, Honest, and Diligent Lives (vv. 11-12)
The second thing that we see from these verses is Paul admonishing these believers to live honest, quiet, and simple lives, and to be hard working. The verb translated “study” (φιλοτιμεῖσθαι from φιλοτιμέομαι – philotimeomai), implies ambitious effort—making something your honorable goal. Paul is telling them that needed to work at this; to try hard to do it.
The phrase “to be quiet” (ἡσυχάζειν from ἡσυχάζω – hēsychazō) means to cease or to rest, or to “hold your peace.” It is interesting the entire phrase “study to be quiet” could mean “work at resting” or “work at not working,” which is certainly strange, but what Paul is saying here is that they should work at being quiet.
Paul is urging them to make it their ambition to live quietly, to mind their own affairs, and to work diligently with their own hands. In an age of constant social media noise, outrage cycles, and performative busyness, striving to be quiet means curating our words, avoiding unnecessary controversy, and focusing on our own responsibilities.
- Why It Matters While We Wait
The idea of this whole passage is that these Thessalonians believers were to be a testimony to the world around them through their hard working, quiet, and honest lives. And Paul promises that besides being a good testimony to their neighbors, they will also be self-sufficient. They would “have lack of nothing.”
The Greeks were not typically fond of manual labor and hard work was often done by slaves. Paul set an example by working as a tentmaker to support himself. He will address this problem again in his second letter to them, where he rebukes some for not working at all:
“6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)
Paul’s stronger words in his second letter show how seriously he took this issue—and how relevant his counsel remains for us today. It is important, however to also point out that some people today face the opposite temptation—not idleness, but workaholism or hustle culture. Paul’s balance reminds us that faithful work honors God without becoming an idol.
- Questions to reflect upon:
- Where am I tempted to be anything but “quiet” in my speech or online presence?
- How can I grow “more and more” in practical love toward fellow believers this week?
- Am I modeling diligent work in a way that commends the gospel to outsiders?
Revised 12/14/25
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Keep Looking Up
Today’s Passage – Colossians 1 – 4; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click hereto view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 61 – 65; Proverbs 13)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Matthew 6:33
Read the 1213 Evening and Morning devotion from the late Charles Spurgeon.
“1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
The background information for Colossians and Philemon both involve the church at Colosse. Philemon was a member of the church there and even opened up his home as a meeting place for the church. The two letters are very different in their purpose. Colossians is written to a church and is both doctrinal as well as practical. Philemon is very personal, written primarily to encourage reconciliation between Onesimus, who was a runaway servant from Colosse who was gloriously saved in Rome, and Philemon. Both of these letters deal with the same geographical area and the same people.
It is apparent from the text (Colossians 1:4; 1:9; 2:1) that Paul had never been to the city of Colosse, which is strange because it is not too far from Ephesus (about 100 or so miles) where Paul spent 3 years. (Acts 20:31) Interestingly the name Colosse appears only once in the entire Bible. (Colossians 1:2) Even more interesting is that the nearby city of Laodicea is named five times in this letter.
Colosse was located in Asia Minor in an area known as Phrygia. It is about 100 or so miles east of Ephesus, and about 100 or so miles north of the Mediterranean Sea. It was 10 miles from Laodicea, and 13 miles from Hierapolis, which are both mentioned in the letter. Both of these cities were to receive this letter to the church at Colosse and also share a letter back to Colosse that was written to Laodicea. (Colossians 4:16)
At one time Colosse was an important city with a large population. It was located in an area that connected the markets of the Far East with the markets of Europe. It was known for a particular kind of purple wool called colossinus that was in demand around the world. As time went on, however, Laodicea became the prominent city and Colosse eventually faded off the scene. Only ruins are left today of both cities. It is probable that both cities were eventually destroyed by a series of earthquakes.
Thoughts from the Passage
- The Letter is Focused on Believers
First of all, we see that this is written to believers: “if ye then be risen with Christ.” Positionally, Christians are seen as crucified with Christ (“for ye are dead” – v. 3) and have also identified with Him in His resurrection:
- Believers Need to Be Focused on Heaven
- A Heavenly Focused Believer Conforms to the Will of God
Notice in the remaining verses that believers are to “mortify” (Νεκρώσατε from νεκρόω – nekroō, meaning to make dead or deprive of power) some things (vs. 5 – 7).
1 fornication
2 uncleanness – mortal impurity
3 inordinate affection – translated vile affection in Romans 1:26, homosexuality
4 evil concupiscence – lust
5 covetousness, which is idolatry:
They are also to “put off” (ἀπόθεσθε from ἀποτίθημι – apotithēmi, meaning to lay aside or cast off) some things (vs. 8 – 11). The things that we are to remove are things that are inconsistent with who we are in Christ and what we will be in Heaven. Paul is merely stating that if you will not see these characteristics and sinful actions in Heaven, you should strive to get rid of them now. You can do these things because when you were saved, “9b … you have put off the old man with his deeds. “10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:9b – 10)
1 anger
2 wrath
3 malice – depravity, maliciousness, wickedness
4 blasphemy
5 filthy communication – vile conversation
6 lying
We are not only supposed to get rid of some things, we are also to replace them with some heavenly things. Vs. 12 – 17 tell us that we are to “put on” (Ἐνδύσασθε from ἐνδύω – endyō, which has the idea of putting on clothing or wearing something) some things.
1 bowels of mercies – mercy, compassion
2 kindness
3 humbleness of mind
4 meekness
5. longsuffering
6. forbearing one another
7 forgiving one another
8 charity
9 let peace rule (v. 15)
10 let the Word dwell in you (v. 16)
11 sing the songs of God (v. 16)
12 do all in the name of Christ (v. 17)
Supporting Verses:
“17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.