At times it seems we can’t find the answer to our problems. We may look at all the solutions we can think of, but bottom line they don’t really solve the problem.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas 1:5)
This verse from James is tritely the answer, praying for wisdom from God. Many times I have done this, the answer to solving my problem comes from a completely different area than I was thinking. God had the answer all the time but I need to ask Him for the wisdom to get the revelation for the answer.
James tells us that through this supernatural wisdom from God, we will find the answers we need and of course with those answer there will follow a blessing. When the Lord gives He gives big. When we have the answer through God’s wisdom we also have a new testimony for His glory. I repeat this is a supernatural wisdom from God, so don’t think you can reach the solution without Him from your own stressful thinking. James says this wisdom is for all men, when you ask for it. If you are dealing with a problem today and having a hard time finding the solution, ask God for the wisdom you need to get the answer. Amen.
OCT 2
MORE WISDOM
I have said if we want the supernatural wisdom from God we must ask for it.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas 1:5)
There are conditions when we ask the Lord for something. The first condition is to repent. We have to have a clean slate when we approach the Lord, asking Him for a special gift. The second thing is complete honesty. In most situations we are the reason for our problems, from our lack of good stewardship that we should be thanking God for, and we have not dealt with properly.
Then also our problem can be the consequence of sin, pride, disobedience, laziness or greed. When we have all that laid out before the Lord and accept His forgiveness, then we have a clean slate and can come to Him requesting wisdom. As we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the path of reconciliation of the cross, which will please the Lord, and He will graciously give the gift of wisdom to you as you need it. Amen.
OCT 3
THE SUPPORTIVE WIFE
A good wife recognizes the authority her husband has been given from the Lord . The authority as the head of his family and their protector.
“Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands.” (1Pe 3:1)
We don’t know how many of the disciples were married. We do know however that Peter was married and his wife supported him many years in his travels and ministry. In 1Cor. 9:5 Paul speaks of the couples in ministry. Now looking at what this verse says to the wives is the way in which Peter is referring to the wife’s support of their husband and his calling. In other words this verse is for a Christian marriage, as well as a marriage in ministry. I would like to see this verse for all wives.
There is no doubt about what the husband requires of his wife and surely as long as the wife fills his needs, he undoubtly will fill her needs through their love for each other and the Lord. As the wife loving the Lord, her example will also be observed by her husband and the family. So seriously the wife has a very important part to play in God’s plan of marriage and obeying His Word. Amen.
OCT 4
MORE FOR WIVES
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.” (1Pe 3:3-5)
These verses give every wife a reason to take inventory of their lives and their marriages. Nowhere in these verses does it say anything about controlling their husbands. Also Peter says the wife shouldn’t be so concerned about her outward beauty more than her inward beauty, which involves her attitude and her heart for her husband. In fact Peter says her ornaments should be her meekness and a quite spirit. And he adds that God puts a great price on such a woman. Then he shares his knowledge of the women in his life.
Perhaps first his grandmother and mother, then his wife and her mother, he says the women of old times trusted the Lord and presented themselves in a manner that showed respect for their husbands. In the years I was married to a Chaplain, I always addressed him to others as Chaplain Al, only with the family and closest friends did I address him as Allen. The wife of a minister or leader in the church has the responsibility of upholding respect for their husband at all times. All husbands require respect from their wives. Whoever is reading this, husband or wife, I hope I have helped you understand this verse from God. Amen.
OCT 5
A WOMAN’S RIGHT
How sad when women are forbidden cosmetics and jewellery in church. Who has made such laws? Not God.
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1Pe 3:3-4)
Peter wrote his two books in the Bible by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do you think his wife would have no gold band, no pretty comb in her hair or no pretty clothes? Of course he didn’t need to make rules like that because Jewish women were very humble in their dressing and presentation. So would it have been OK for him to make such rules for his wife and children? No that rule would not have been a good idea.
Peter said that the inward heart to please her husband and the Lord is more important than the outward adorning. Why do some churches turn Peter’s words into condemning wives or women? Those churches are run by men that are insecure and have controlling spirits from the Devil. Yes any churches putting those kind of rules down for women are ungodly and in darkness. God made women beautiful and with great imaginations of how to make everything more beautiful including themselves. Beautiful things and beautiful people are what women like, and so does God. Following God’s word, not man’s condemnations, is the women’s right. Amen.
OCT 6
BEAUTIFUL BRIDE FOREVER
“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1Pe 3:3-4)
The bride is always adorned for the wedding day. When her veil is removed at the church, her husband sees she has made a very special effort to look her best for him. A Christian wife will always want to look her best for him even as the years pass and so does her youthful beauty. Now we can understand fully what Peter has written in these verses above.
Naturally the young man looks at his bride, with no thought of how they are going to be in twenty years. Peter however has thought of his wife in the present and the future, as the meek and quite spirit of maturity. Wives don’t get old they mature like their husbands. Wives become mothers and grandmothers and as the wrinkles come so does wisdom. As their youthful ringlets turn to silver grey, their maturity is more desirable to their husbands. These are the thoughts of Peter when he wrote these verses, and can reassure the wives they are in the sight of God of great price. Surely a Godly husband is the only one who could have such a beautiful bride (wife) forever. How do feel about that? Amen.
OCT 7
THE STRONGER PARTNER
“But let it be the hidden manner of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1Pe 3:5)
How does a wife develop meekness and a quite spirit? You can be certain not under a controlling husband. A controlling husband develops in his wife, fear and displeasure. A Godly husband is a good partner for his wife. What does that tell you about marriage? Is that a fifty, fifty partnership? Any wife who believes that is short-changing her husband. Only the meek and quite spirit can also be the stronger one. Husbands need strong wives and supporting wives.
Since God made women to be carers of their homes and families, He also made them to be the stronger partner. The wife matures in her marriage, as the husband stays the same as “the bread winner” except for his increasing respect for her maturity. While observing her part that she holds in their partnership, he learns to love her more each year. As they grow older they grow closer to each other and to the Lord. Once again, I hope I am helping you understand the Word of God given to Peter, for marriage and a perfect partnership. Amen.
OCT 8
HUSBANDS, PAY ATTTENTION
There seems to be a number of husbands that forget the “Prince Charming” they turned on for their future bride.
“Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1Pe 3:7)
Peter is telling husbands to be smart and never forget that their wife is still their bride. Peter is saying, husbands you did everything to win your bride, and now she is yours, and still is your bride. All the energy you used to win her, keep it up to keep her. The goodness and the good side you showed her during your courting, continue throughout your marriage.
Peter refers to the wife as a weaker vessel and yet the Lord made her stronger than any man. But her heart is very fragile and needs her husband’s love and attention to keep it healthy. She also needs that same love from her family that she daily cares for. A Godly husband will find time to date his bride, leaving work at the office and only paying attention to her. The Holy wedlock of these two will be a happy couple, and as Peter says they are “heirs of God’s Grace.”
One more thing that Peter put in his verse, he was referring to husband and wife praying together. Peter says, “That your prayers be not hindered.” That is a wonderful promise for a marriage. If only the bride and groom at the altar will follow Peter’s lead to a Holy wedlock, they will be able to make it for many years “until death do they part.” Amen.
OCT 9
AT YOUR SIDE
So you leave home get married and make your own way for you and your wife.
“Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife.” (1Pe 3:7)
Peter is still speaking to husbands; he is saying, “Dwell with them according to knowledge.” Husbands don’t just live with your wife, study her and what her needs are, desires and wants. Be knowledgeable about your relationship. Make your relationship with your wife number one. Each husband when he studies his wife will discover the manner in which he can honour her, for himself and others.
We have been on this verse from 1Peter for a week now, I am sure you understand how important a Christian marriage is, after studying this verse. Now we are speaking again about a partnership between man and wife. How long do these partnerships last? For a Holy marriage with a Godly man and woman they will last forever. These partners are together forever, because of their partnership with the Lord.
Let us look to the future of a husband and father. His family is his wife and children. Then his children grow up and are gone, “So they leave home get married and make their own way.” The husband and wife are once again on their own, they dwell together and they now have a new partnership completely different from how it has been the last twenty years. Husband, your bride is still there by your side, forever. All that we have learned this week from Peter; we have really learned from God, He is also by our side forever. Amen.
OCT 10
HUSBAND AND WIFE
“And as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Pe 3:5)
Heirs together through the Grace of God. What a wonderful beginning of marriage, when there is a Holy marriage of two people as heirs of God’s grace. Now the Godly pair can learn from each other and from the Lord. We have spent this week learning from Peter. The partnership of marriage is sealed in Heaven. Breaking that seal breaks God’s heart. Marriage must be taken seriously and reverently. God says, “Husbands love your wife as Christ loves the church, and wives submit to your husbands.” As long as we stay in that plan with our marriage the seal is safe and marriage is secure. This week have had many things to think about relationship and marriage, all these things are good but they cannot be manifested in a marriage without both partners having faith in Jesus and have been born again at the foot of Calvary’s Cross. Amen.
OCT 11
OF ONE MIND
So now Peter comes to the word, “Finally,” after writing the first seven verses of chapter three, strictly on marriage, and on the relationship of a man and women in a good marriage.
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous.” (1Pe 3:8)
Peter had a wife that travelled with him in his ministry, surely that meant that as she faced the same dangers with him, she believed as him. They were in one mind with each other and their faith in Christ, and one mind in their faith in each other. For Peter that is what made a good marriage. The compassion that two people constantly have for the needs of each other, he puts a number on in this verse speaking of “one mind.”
The love that two people have that covers their mistakes or emotions that come with stress and worry, because, although we know Peter had the greatest of faith, he also had bad days and he needed the love of his wife and the church around him. When the married couples are of one mind in faith, compassion and love that produces power in their marriage and they can face all obstacles together as one body.
The next part of the verse says that the couple needs to be thoughtful and courteous to their partner. This indicates the approach they have when speaking with each other, not shouting or pouting, but making their conversation intelligent and peaceful. Also this comes under “one mind.” Naturally the world is always in chaos around us. Money matters, household needs, and family needs, are just a few of the things that the married couple must discus, and Peter understands that, therefore he reminds us to be understanding and courteous in our conversations.
Peter believes he has given us in these eight verses in chapter three the “secret” for a good marriage, and I believe he is right. If you take a few minutes with your partner today to review 1Pe 3:1-8, and you both agree to work your marriage on this platform, you will also be of one faith, of one mind. Amen.
OCT 12
LOVING YOUR BROTHER
We have been talking about love in marriage, but now we need to talk about love in the church.
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous.” (1Pe 3:8)
Peter as we know sometimes had difficulty being of one mind with all his brethren, very much so concerning the beginning of Paul’s ministry. But he could see the importance of the church unity also. We know just to have a church in those days presented all the brethren in danger. The Romans paid well for the information where Christians could be found. Having unity in the church was the security for each of the members and the family in Christ.
Some of the brethren were in very well-off families, without their love for the church the ones who had very little to live on and the ones that were already suffering in prison would not survive without their help. Also the unity of the church was depending on good attitudes and conversations. Emotions could get uneasy because of their environments close to the Romans; they had to always be in agreement never raising their voices in their homes or on the streets, which could bring attention to who they were.
Peter gave this verse to the brethren as a warning; the only way we can survive in our worldly environments is to stay in unity. If we look around us today Christians are also in danger in the world of darkness that wants to remove the Word of God, remove the commandments of God and to remove the people of God. Unity in the church today is as important of yesterdays. Perhaps you need to contact someone asking their forgiveness and bring more unity in the family of Christ. Pray about it today. Amen.
OCT 13
CONTINUE WITH LOVE
We have been speaking of very close people in our lives and how we can keep a good relationship with them.
“Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, and be courteous.” (1Pe 3:8)
Now let us step out into the places where we are the strangers. Living in a high-rise apartment, when I look out all I see is unknown territory, looking for love, and needing Jesus. I have the opportunity to go shopping with a smile on my face or a frown. How will that effect my day and the clerks behind the registers? Can I do as Jesus did, looking on the strangers with compassion? How can I love a stranger, I don’t know them?
I have learnt when I am walking the dog or out to do shopping, I can pray for strangers, I can look at them and pass them by praying for them. Also I have found that praying for strangers brings joy in my heart. I can have compassion and love for those I don’t know and may never see again. Then there is that world out there where I am in contact with strangers and my conversation and attitude effects others I don’t know. With my smile and good conversation, even giving them a blessing or sharing the gospel with them, can make my and their day. Peter writes, “Love as brethren,” that is a command. Today is a good day to practice showing a stranger the love of a Christian brother. Amen.
OCT 14
PAY BACK
How many times have you heard, “But you don’t know what they have done to me?”
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.” (1Pe 3:9)
I don’t drive, but I understand the frustration people have finding parking spaces. Here you need to get something before getting home or picking up the kids at school. Just to get a parking place to save a few minutes walking. Boom the one you have your eye on and are just getting close to and that guy took your space. How frustrating. The question is how is your attitude with this? How are your emotions with this? Are you seriously thinking, “What would Jesus Do?”
Christian’s are expected to be so joyful and pleasant, blessing everybody. Peter has written like this When frustrated what is your conversation like? Calm down your emotions and bless those you are frustrated with. Then came the good part, “Knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.” (1Pe 3:9) So the pay-back is God’s promise to you, the word ‘inherit’ indicates a promise. Who has called you, is He that has made this promise for you, it is your inheritance. I like the way Peter has worded this verse, I like it that he has assured me as I find the peace in my heart to bless those who have hurt me, I am the one that will get the pay-back from God, I will be blessed. Now how can you make this work for you? Begin with prayer! Amen.
OCT 15
MORE ON ATTITUDE
Mind, will and emotions, are the three things we learn as Christian’s that making up our souls.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” (1Pe 3:10-11)
These two verses are for born again Christians. Only those that daily study the Word pray and walk with Christ, can hope to follow these two verses from Peter. Our minds must be focused on Jesus; our wills must be in line with the will God in His Word. Our emotions must be under control following a straight and narrow path of peace and close to Jesus.
Only when we keep a good attitude do we also keep our soul healthy. Cutting this a little short Peter has been repeating most of these good instructions throughout chapter three. But he has added one more suggestion from the Lord. Do you want a happy and good life? Do you love life and want to see good days? Yes we do. Praying daily for a healthy soul and a peaceful heart, will help us follow this chapter from Peter, our attitude will shine and please God. Amen.
OCT 16
BELIEVETH
Faith is fantastic. Faith forges ways that are considered impossible.
“Jesus said unto him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.’” (Mar 9:23)
When we are just beginning to read God’s Word and attend our church Bible Studies, this verse is constantly repeated, and one of them we learn by heart. Jesus is speaking directly to all of us; He wants us to have Heavenly increase through our faith. He wants us not to just have our barrels full; He wants us to have our barns full.
Jesus had no way to teach the disciples what they truly were going to need in the future. They were going to be in a very dark world and they would need faith to move mountains, which Jesus told them to believe for. There are a lot of teachings on faith, but none of them can be better for us than the time we are spending at Jesus’ feet and receiving His teaching. When you having your daily prayers today, envision that you are with Jesus at His feet hearing His voice. Repeat this verse from Mark and believe that it is Jesus repeating it to you. Just believe. Amen.
OCT 17
THE DISTRACTER
When you are praying what or who distracts you? Satan always has his bag of tricks ready to stop you from being with Jesus.
“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” (1Th 2:18)
When we pray we are in a place where God wants us. Perhaps at His feet or at His throne whichever place we are in, we are there at God’s appointment. Because we are in this place of sanctuary in prayer, Satan is stomping outside trying to disturb the beauty of our peace.
Sometimes we have thought that because Paul was such a holy man that he was always in a spiritual mood and nothing could change that. Here he tells us he could travel to visit his dear brethren whom he loved so. Something has hindered him from travelling, he knows that it is Satan that is trying to hurt and stop him from his precious ministry. Paul says he is hindered, but he doesn’t say if it is physical.
We know Paul suffered physically and for that reason he had loving brothers who helped him at all times. Also he was always in danger and the brethren did their best to keep him safe. Of course Paul never threw a pity party; he just got on with his ministry and servant-hood for Christ. Paul knew he had an enemy, and what his name was, He knew that his enemy had one goal to take him out and stop his ministry. Paul never gave in to his enemy’s wishes. Satan could not distract Paul or stop him. Satan wants to do the same to all Christians, to take them
out. Pray and rebuke any tricks that Satan is playing on you today. We have Jesus; therefore we have the victory and can take out the distracter. Amen.
OCT 18
BE MY VISION
Do you believe in visions? Do you believe in dreams? I do, and I believe that the Lord has given me visions and dreams that have always encouraged me to stay true to Him.
“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” (2Co 12:1)
What is so great about visions and dream from the Lord is that the enemy knows nothing of them. When the Lord has us in His presence the Devil cannot enter our thoughts. If we are dreaming something from God; we will see the end of the dream as a victory. What did I mean by in the end victory? Sometimes the Lord will show us the battle and the enemy, we may call that a nightmare. But these dreams from the Lord show us how the enemy is defeated, and they are not nightmares, they are promises.
W hen the Lord calls us to a new task; perhaps He does so in a dream at night or a vision in the day. First we must confirm that everything concerning this new adventure is from the Lord in His Word, and then perhaps it will be confirmed with another sister or brother in the church. Paul never doubt his call or his new task the Lord presented him with, no matter the dangers he may have to face, because he knew it was from the Lord, He also knew that the glory received from the task always went to the Lord, unlike the glory of man taking the beatings and the imprisonment. I have never experienced such horrible things, but I have been rejected, hurt and alone. Through prayer and faith in the end victory, I sing, “Be my vision, Lord of my heart.” Today you can follow your dreams and visions as Christ is with you all the way. Amen.
OCT 19
STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE IT
There are two ways to get strength, one being you get physically strong and determined to follow your dreams or you get your strength from the Holy Spirit and with Him you follow your dreams.
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.” (2Co 11:23)
How did they do it? How could the apostles take the abuse and pain? We are in the last days before our Lord is returning. Do you believe that? Do you believe the Word of God concerning the rapture and the second coming of Christ? The reason I ask you this, is because if you have doubts, please don’t attempt to step out into the world as a full time servant of the Lord. Full time ministry takes full time faith and full time faith is dependent on the Holy Spirit full time. Amen.
Peter and Paul suffered in the flesh badly, horribly, but they rested with their wounds in the arms of the Holy Spirit, He comforted them and strengthened them. He and He alone kept them strong and He will do the same for us. The New Testament shares with us the writings of incredibly faithful men; through them we learn what is called the Christian faith or the Christian doctrine. I can only add today the importance for us to understand the lives of the apostles Peter and Paul. That is where we learn to live daily with the Holy Spirit, with that knowledge and faith we gain our strength. Amen.
OCT 20
NO BED OF ROSES
How does faith work? Do you think as long as you trust in the Lord, He will make your life “a bed of roses?”
“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.” (2Co 11:23)
I heard a comment once, “Paul’s faith was weak because he had to suffer all his Christian life.” You could have “knocked me down with a feather” when I heard that. Oh! That I could have the faith of Paul, the life with Christ that Paul had. I could have that same strength from the filling of the Holy Spirit that Paul had and the experience of seeing Heaven. What a faithful man Paul was.
Do you know what a bed of roses will do to you? It will make you lazy. If you have a hard bed you will not want to lie on it for very long, you will want to get up and get going. That is what the Lord needs from us, the faith of Paul, to get up, get going and keep going until His return. There is an army rising up, are you ready? Amen.
OCT 21
RISING UP
I hope you know how serious these days are, these last days before Christ’s return. There is a battle going on. The enemy is moving slowly, silently, to snatch up our children and make way for them in Hell.
“Thus says the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.” (Jer 6:22)
If we don’t rise up as an Army of God to stamp out the Devil in our homes, community and church, Hell will be where our children end up. We are new born Christian with our names written in Heaven, how will you feel when you are there and your children are not? Are you aware of the world your children are a part of each day? Do you know what they are watching or listening to on their devices? Are you teaching them the truth of life, love and Jesus? I hope this book will be read yearly to keep people on their toes and aware of what is happening around them until Jesus comes back and it might be too late to make changes. Who do you know that is a Christian soldier in the Army of Christ? Perhaps you too should be with them “standing up for Jesus.” Amen.
OCT 22
PERSONAL EXAMINATION
It is not always easy to examine yourself, to look into your heart and soul thinking, “What is wrong and needs changing?”
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1Co 11:28)
Paul says, “We need to examine ourselves before sharing bread and wine.” I believe that sharing bread and wine with redemption can be done daily. I also believe that this sharing does not need others present; it can be solo but with Christ.
When we grasp the picture of what happened at Calvary, we become broken also. When I think of a human man going through the hours of beatings and the pain our Lord suffered. There are many that forget Jesus was born of a virgin and raised in a normal manner until He was thirty years old, when He started His ministry. We are the most blessed beings on the Earth, to be born again Christians though the blood of Christ. If we are sick we have a promise in the broken body of Jesus that we are healed. Please, today partake in the Lord’s Table after you have taken a good look at what you have to bring to His table. Amen.
OCT 23
SELF-JUDGEMENT
When we judge ourselves we can only correct ourselves with repentance.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” (1Co 11:31)
Paul was always judging and correcting himself. In fact he said, “What he wanted to do, he didn’t do and what he shouldn’t do is what he would end up doing.” Does that sound familiar? It does to me. I don’t swear but I have a habit to pick up stupid comments like, “Do you see what I am saying,” how stupid to say that. I constantly have to repent for stupidity.
As a Christian if I look stupid who will believe me when I tell them the gospel of Jesus Christ? I cannot be a good wittiness for the Lord, if I use silly comments and look stupid. Accurate vocabulary is very important for a Christian minister. I would rather judge myself than have the Lord judge me for my mistakes. The smallest slip up in our behaviour needs our judgment, in other words our self-judgment, which also needs our repentance. When we are sharing the bread and wine in church or just on our own with the Lord, we must repent before eating from the table. Is there something, perhaps of the smallest matter, that you need to judge yourself today? If so please repent and come to the Lord with clean hands. Amen.
OCT 24
LOVE JUDGES
We know God is Love. Therefore if I am to be judged I would rather be judged by a loving Father than a wicked world.
“But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (1Co 11:32)
In this verse Paul tells us, “Take your punishment from the Lord is your best shot.” When the Lord corrects us or even punishes us it is always out of His love. If your father loved you and you are grown now when you look back to those harsh corrections he put you through, did he love you?
Sadly I know many have memories of their childhood with little love. But that is not the case now; your Heavenly Father loves you and always wants the best for you. He wants to save you from the condemnation of the world where you suffer with and never reach your goal. When the Lord corrects you, you grow and always reach a new goal. When we repent to the Lord daily as we sin daily, we are glorifying Him as our loving Father and our sovereign King. Are you feeling the pressures of correction today, perhaps there is something you need to repent of and release the judgment. Amen.
OCT 25
HOW TO JUDGE
There are ways to judge, as a Christian we must be very careful with how we use our judgments.
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (Joh 7:24)
It is so easy to look at a person, and judge them. Thank You Lord that is not the way You judge. We know that the Lord judges the heart of each of us. We may find it hard to see a person in an ugly environment or dressed in an ugly fashion. Just such a sight and our minds have condemned them. The best we can do for them is to have compassion and pray for them. We have no idea what their life is like, if we haven’t lived in their shoes.
If we are truly filled with the Holy Spirit then we can see others as God sees them. I like the verse in the Bible where our Lord looked upon a multitude of people and had compassion on them. When He looked upon these people He didn’t see their clothes, jewellery, or hairstyles, He saw a great multitude in need and in hope that they could get a better life being with Jesus. They look to Him for their salvation not really knowing they were looking on their Saviour. They were looking to Him for healing not knowing that they were looking at the Creator of all mankind. If we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps we must show His love to others around us. Perhaps there is a person in your neighbourhood that you have judged, and now have the chance to show the love of Christ to them. Amen.
OCT 26
THINK IT OVER
Still speaking about judgments, this verse will make you think twice before judging.
“Does our law judge any man, before it hears him, and know what he does?” (Joh 7:51)
John is not speaking about the judgments of God; he is speaking about the worldly courtrooms. When a person is brought to a courtroom it is because someone thinks that they have sinned and are guilty. But John reminds us that even in a courtroom this person is innocent until someone comes with the truth of why they are guilty.
Are you giving others that you are judging, the same opportunity to tell the truth, to open their hearts full of the pain and the hurt that is behind their sad lives? If they are not living right, they need Jesus not your judgments. We must leave all judgments to the Lord and Him only.
We don’t live a life with Jesus to condemn those who don’t live with Him. We live a life with Jesus because we were guilty of sin and we repented of our sins and took Jesus as our Saviour. You have a story, you have a testimony and you can tell others how you were set free at Calvary’s Cross. Today perhaps you will approach someone to share your story with and give them the same chance to accept Jesus. Amen.
OCT 27
DID JESUS JUDGE?
How do you feel when you tell others about Jesus, but they don’t really want to hear what you have to say?
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” (Joh 12:47)
Many listened to Jesus and loved Him, they put their past lives behind them and followed Jesus. We know so many of our family and loved ones that tell us, “That Jesus stuff is good for you but not for me.” How quickly I want to judge them, call them stupid for rejecting Him. Yet that is not what I have the right to do, no, my right is not to judge them but to keep praying for them that the Holy Spirit will wake them up to the truth about salvation and Jesus. The Holy Spirit will convict them and bring them to the Cross and full repentance.
Jesus died for all mankind, is sometimes a very hard thing to understand when we see the horrible sin and sinners around us. Jesus said, “For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world,” and it is His footsteps we want to follow in. Is there someone that you have been judging? Today is a good day to repent and go to them in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
OCT 28
TWO WITNESSES
I am sure that anytime you had a transaction with another person you always want proof that what was happening was witnessed.
“And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.” (Joh 8:16)
The Lord tells us here, “I am telling the truth and my Father is my wittiness.” Jesus was not a spirit floating around this earth, He was spiritual, but He was also a man in the flesh, and He knew the laws from the Torah that God had given the Israelites in the wilderness with Moses. He respected laws of God as a Jewish man. Every word that Jesus spoke on earth would be backed up by His father in Heaven. Every judgment that Jesus laid upon the unbeliever would be backed up from His father in Heaven.
Although Jesus loved mankind with the “agape” love that no other man on earth has, but wants, He also spoke the truth when He spoke to the Pharisees’ with their false worship and lies. Only with a great conversion could Israel be saved from their judgments and their future destruction. Jesus cried when He saw the future of Israel and Jerusalem. Jesus wanted to do everything He could to take out sin and bring salvation to all mankind, He went to Calvary just for that to judge sin and overcome it for eternity, and open the way to God forever. He said on the cross, “It is finished,” referring to His Father I have full filled all you asked of Me on earth and in Heaven. I hope you have understood what He did for you and me. Although we will never understand all of the Cross and Calvary here on earth in our lifetime. Our part today is to be wittiness with Him and His word, until His return. Amen.
OCT 29
WHO IS YOUR WITINESS
I am sure that if you need a witness you can find one, perhaps a family member or church brother or sister. The world is always asking Christians, “Who is your witness to what you believe and teach?”
“I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.” (Joh 8:18)
Jesus could bear witness of Himself because He was the Son of God “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (Joh 1:14).” I am sure you have heard the comment, “He is as good as his word.” That comment implied that the person was always telling the truth never lying or cheating. We know that if someone we trust can tell us that we can trust another person, we believe it to be so.
When we have Jesus ministering for three years throughout Israel, He tells everyone I am telling you the truth and my Father in Heaven will bear witness of what I say is the truth. Even when Jesus told the disciples, that He was to go to Jerusalem to suffer at the hands of the Romans and die there, they didn’t believe it and couldn’t understand it, until after the Cross and Calvary. But when Jesus gave up His life, His last words were, “It is finished. Father into Your hands I commend my spirit.” When we receive Jesus as our Saviour we too will be the ones that bear witness of Him and become “Sons of God” and our Father in Heaven will bear witness of us. Today is a day of joy and thanksgiving as new born Christians, and a child of God! Amen.
OCT 30
HAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO JUDGE
We have been on the chapter 8 in the book of John this week spending some days on “judgment.”
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (Joh 8:7)
This story is about the sinful woman that was being condemned by her suitors. Jesus knew that the same men that were now condemning her were the same men that had used and abused her. For some reason she had displeased them and now they wanted to kill her according to Moses law. The Holy Spirit through the words of Jesus convicted these men in a way they had to resign and let her go free.
Think how she felt, first men that abused and condemned her and now a man showing her mercy and setting her free. What a wonderful Jesus. Now why is this verse so valuable to Christians? That same Holy Spirit convicts us also and that same beautiful Jesus will have mercy on us also. He has made it all possible at Calvary so that we can, “Go and sin no more.” Perhaps through your prayers today the Holy Spirit wants to spend some time with you, showing you where you need to repent, casting down those stones you have ready to use condemning others. Amen.
OCT 31
MERCY
After all this week of speaking about judgment and condemnation, we now can come to mercy.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1)
For the new born Christian there is mercy from the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that we are saved sinners and in daily need of the Lord’s mercy. When we do something wrong we can come to Christ and repent. As we make repentance our daily agenda there will be less and less to repent for.
How wonderful when bad habits are gone if we remember to repent for them. Foul language falls out of our conversation and vocabulary, we repent if we make a “slip up.” Our daily repentance refreshes us with the Holy Spirit and makes it easier for us to walk away from the flesh. After this full week of warnings we can give thanks for this confirmation of mercy and love that Paul tells us we can have in this verse in Romans. If you like to memorize verses this is a good one for you to keep. We can give thanks for God’s Word’s to share with others. Amen.
