Daily Word of God - 1 Peter 2:21-25

1 Peter 2:21-25 New International Version (NIV)

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
2. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)

Daily Word of God - John 14:15-21

John 14:15-21 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Footnotes:

1. John 14:17 Some early manuscripts and is

Daily Word of God - Psalm 46:1-3

Psalm 46:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
2. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
3. Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Overwhelming Victory

As I was praying for God’s direction in writing this message, an old, old hymn came flooding into my heart and soul. The words reminded me of my acceptance of Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. As a young man, I sang this song many times in church. Each time I sang that hymn, I felt the Spirit moving in my soul. In time, that moving feeling soon became a stirring that resulted in the calling to serve in the Kingdom and to preach the Word of God.

That hymn, “Victory in Jesus”, continued to repeat itself over and over in my mind and heart. I asked God for the words that He wanted me to give to His children. After much prayer and reading, God revealed those words in a passage from Romans. In William Tyndale’s analysis of Romans, largely taken from the writings of Martin Luther, Tyndale writes, “The sum and whole cause of the writings of this epistle, is, to prove that a man is justified by faith only.”

As I thought of Tyndale’s words and the message laid upon my heart, I was led to a particular chapter and passage that deeply resonated with me. The words written to the early Christians in Rome are truly inspiring to today’s Christians. It is not through good deeds that we are able to receive redemption. It only comes from having faith and understanding and accepting the true depth of God’s love for us. It is only through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus, that we are given the precious gift of salvation. Because of that one life given as our sacrifice, the debt of sin was once and for all time cancelled. Our wages of sin were paid in full by the precious blood of Christ Jesus who won an overwhelming victory over the grave and death. Because of his sacrifice, the curtain of sin that separated us from our Almighty Father was torn in half from top to bottom.

In chapter 8 of his epistle to the Romans, Paul writes, “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

Notice what Paul writes. Even when we go through the darkest times of trouble and tribulation, Jesus loves us. No matter what happens in our life, we can know without a single shred of doubt that Jesus will remain with us and continue to love and support us. With that knowledge firmly planted in our hearts, minds and souls, we know that we have overwhelming victory over this sinful world. It is only through Jesus that we can declare this victory. We did not do anything to deserve it.

In chapter 2, Paul writes, in his letter to the Ephesians, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

There are those who believe and even preach that we can earn our way into Heaven. That is simply not true. If we can take credit for our salvation, then why would we even need Jesus’ sacrifice or, for that matter, God and His love and grace? We could just simply do good deeds and earn eternal glory all on our own. It is important that overwhelming victory over this world did not come through winning a celestial lottery or by the good things that we have done. That victory can only come through Jesus. 

Paul tells us in chapter 2 of Ephesians, “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

Even when we walked in death and defeat, God loved us enough to give His son as our sacrifice to fulfill the requirements of the law. Jesus was our atonement sacrifice on the altar. It is only through his blood that we are able to receive salvation. We no longer shuffle through life with our heads hung low with nothing to look forward to in our lives. Because of that victory, we can hold our heads high and show the world what love truly is. Because of His love for us, we are called upon to serve those around us. For some of us, we are called into missionary service to preach the word of God to those who walk in darkness. Some face death each and every day and are, as Paul wrote, “slaughtered like sheep.”

As Paul closes chapter 8, he writes, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The overwhelming victory that we received through Christ Jesus and his love for us is the knowledge that we can never be separated from the Father. It is through that belief and sustained faith that we have that victory in Jesus.

Look closely at the words of Paul. He tells us that nothing can separate us from God and His love. The words that really caught my attention were “neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow.” Paul, in just those few words, summed up the way most of us feel from moment to moment. We do not know what will happen tomorrow, much less in the next few minutes. We have no control over our lives. But, as Christians, we know that a Savior came from glory and how he gave his life on Calvary to save each of us.

So, I say this to each of you. Sing out in your loudest voice and praise God for the overwhelming victory over death through His son, Christ Jesus. Our good deeds cannot pay for our salvation or redeem us. It is only through God's love and plan of salvation through His son that we can stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 5:43-48

Matthew 5:43-48 New International Version (NIV)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18

Daily Word of God - 1 Peter 3:13-17

1 Peter 3:13-17 New International Version (NIV)

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Peter 3:14 Or fear what they fear
2. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12

Daily Word of God - John 14:1-7

John 14:1-7 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Footnotes:

1. John 14:1 Or Believe in God
2. John 14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know

Daily Word of God - Psalm 90:13-17

Psalm 90:13-17 New International Version (NIV)

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 90:17 Or beauty

Daily Word of God - John 3:18-21

John 3:18-21 New International Version (NIV)

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Daily Word of God - Proverbs 3:27-28

Proverbs 3:27-28 New International Version (NIV)

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 7:1-6

Matthew 7:1-6 New International Version (NIV)

Judging Others

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 84:10-12

Psalm 84:10-12 New International Version (NIV)

10 Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

12 Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.