“My Joy…Your Joy” by Oswald Chambers

“My Joy…Your Joy”

August 31, 2017

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. —John 15:11

 
 
 
 

What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). “I delight to do Your will, O my God…” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is.

Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His “living water.” Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live “your life…hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

There is no allowance whatever in the New Testament for the man who says he is saved by grace but who does not produce the graceful goods. Jesus Christ by His Redemption can make our actual life in keeping with our religious profession.
Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

The Expression of Faith by Charles Stanley

If you made a request of God and then time passed without results, it is understandable you might start wondering if He ever heard you at all. Do you remember thinking, What happened, Lord? You said that if I asked in faith, You would do it. Didn’t You hear me?

Stop to consider this question: Can you think of a time you brought a petition to the Lord and it apparently went unanswered? What was the situation? What did you pray about it? What did you say to others about it? What did you do about it?

I believe one of the most common reasons we experience a crisis of faith is that our words and our attitude get out of line with each other. We tell ourselves that we are praying to the heavenly Father, seeking His will, and requesting His intervention, but what we’re really doing is just complaining to Him.

We say, “Lord, I really messed this up” or “I don’t deserve this.” We might pray, “How did this happen?” Or perhaps we even cry, “How did You let this happen?” We moan about the situation, reveling in every ounce of anguish, and then petition God to fix it. Is this a prayer that honors God?

In Mark 11:24, Jesus explains that if we ask for something, we should believe in our hearts that it has already been granted. This level of faith is found not in our whines but in our praises. God absolutely wants us to cry out to Him and to lay our petitions at His feet (1 Pet. 5:7). But we must be careful to do so in a way that focuses on God’s glory—not our own.

“After His Kind,” Not Another Kind by Adrian Rogers

August 31

“After His Kind,” Not Another Kind

“Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created.” - Psalm 148:5

In Genesis 1:11-12 we read, “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good” (italics mine).

If evolution is true, then one plant or animal group would have to evolve into another plant or animal group, and if that is true, then you would expect to find transitional forms of life. You hear talk about the “missing link.” May I tell you, the whole chain is missing!

What do you believe about the origin of creation?

August 31 / Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).

How strong is the snare of the things that are seen, and how necessary for God to keep us in the things that axe unseen! If Peter is to walk on the water he must walk; if he is going to swim, he must swim, but he cannot do both. If the bird is going to fly it must keep away from fences and the trees, and trust to its buoyant wings. But if it tries to keep within easy reach of the ground, it will make poor work of flying.

God had to bring Abraham to the end of his own strength, and to let him see that in his own body he could do nothing. He had to consider his own body as good as dead, and then take God for the whole work; and when he looked away from himself, and trusted God alone, then he became fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform.

That is what God is teaching us, and He has to keep away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them, and then He loves to make His Word real in fact as well as faith.
--A. B. Simpson

I do not ask that He must prove
His Word is true to me,
And that before I can believe
He first must let me see.
It is enough for me to know
'Tis true because He says 'tis so;
On His unchanging Word I'll stand
And trust till I can understand.
--E. M. Winter 

Seeking God's Kingdom by John MacArthur

Seeking God's Kingdom “‘. . . All these things shall be added to you’” (Matthew 6:33). God will provide for those who seek what is eternal. What did Jesus mean when He said we are to seek God’s kingdom first? It means our top priority in life should be to seek what is eternal. That was the priority for the apostle Paul. In Acts 20 he was ready to leave for Jerusalem to defend the faith, not knowing if he might be put in prison or lose his life. The prospect of persecution did not deter him, for he said, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself” (v. 24). He was not concerned about how long he would live or worried about what he would eat or wear. Instead, he wanted to “finish [his] course, and the ministry which [he] received from the Lord Jesus” (v. 24). Seeking the kingdom means you want Christ’s rule to be manifest in your life as righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). So, when the lost see those spiritual qualities in your life instead of worry, they know the kingdom of God is there. That is an attractive testimony that the Lord can use to bring the lost to Himself. Seeking God’s kingdom means desiring to extend His kingdom. Seeking the kingdom also means you long for Jesus to return in His millennial glory. We will be joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:1-7), reign with Him forever (Rev. 22:5), live in a new heaven and earth throughout all eternity (21:1), and have all the majesty and riches of eternal Heaven (21:1—22:5). There’s no need to be preoccupied or worried about material things since the whole earth is going to be destroyed and the Lord is going to make a new one. Instead of seeking riches, “seek . . . His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Pursue godliness and holiness, and “all these things shall be added to you” (v. 33). God will provide for those who live a righteous life. Suggestions for Prayer According to Matthew 6:33, are the priorities of your life in the right order? Confess and forsake any sin, and thank the Lord for the privilege of serving Him. For Further Study Read Psalm 34:9-10. What is the promise to those who fear and seek the Lord? From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

NKJV 365 / Man-to-Man

NKJV 365 Day Reading Plan

Day 243 of 365 Man-to-Man David and Jonathan shared a rare friendship, a valuable bond that models how men today can engage in meaningful friendships with other men. The companionship David and Jonathan enjoyed was founded on a trust and loyalty so deep that Jonathan, a child of royal privilege, risked much to maintain his friendship with David, a rural shepherd boy who was considered a threat to the royal family. As the two young men became friends, they formalized their commitment to each other with a pledge they honored even when their relationship was severely tested (1 Sam. 18:1-4; 20:1-4). Many men have numerous acquaintances but few friends, often leaving them feeling isolated and lonely. Even a man who enjoys a healthy marriage can feel misunderstood if no one knows his soul man-to-man, just as women also crave companionship with fellow women. And once a true friend is found, men need not be afraid to enter into a friendship of profound trust and loyalty. A friendship like this is worth any sacrifice. Taken from The Modern Life Study Bible 1 Samuel 20:41 NASB 41 When the lad was gone, David rose from the south side and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times. And they kissed each other and wept together, but David wept the more.

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / JUSTICE

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 242 of 365 JUSTICE The psalmist knew that the God he served is a God of justice. He is a "God who judges the earth" (v. 11). The judges on earth were ruling unjustly. They were merely humans but acting as if they had divine power (vv. 1 - 2). Yet, the psalmist prayed to God, asking him to provide justice for his people and for sudden judgment to come upon the unrighteous (vv. 9 - 11). The psalmist was confident in God and his mighty power to bring divine justice upon these evil judges. Jesus echoed the admonition to rule with justice when he spoke to the Pharisees. He scolded them because they had "neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness" (Mt 23:23). In the end, Jesus Christ will judge the living and the dead (2Ti 4:1). God's justice will be final and established forever. And the righteous, confident in their future reward (Ps 58:11), wait with great joy, recognizing that their Savior King has already won the victory (Rev 19:11 - 21). Jesus, I am confident in you and your ability to bring divine justice. Help me to remember, as I watch the battles play out, that the war has already been won. Amen. Psalms 58:1-11 NASB 1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? 2 No, in heart you work unrighteousness; On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. 4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, 5 So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells. 6 O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O L ord . 7 Let them flow away like water that runs off; When he aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts. 8 Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes along, Like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike. 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 And men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous;

August 31 / Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

Morning and Evening

Day 243 of 366 Morning - Day 243 "Wait on the Lord." It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God's warriors than standing still. There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No, but simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread the case before him; tell him your difficulty, and plead his promise of aid. In dilemmas between one duty and another, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and wait with simplicity of soul upon the Lord. It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own folly, and are heartily willing to be guided by the will of God. But wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in him; for unfaithful, untrusting waiting, is but an insult to the Lord. Believe that if he keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet he will come at the right time; the vision shall come and shall not tarry. Wait in quiet patience, not rebelling because you are under the affliction, but blessing your God for it. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses; never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying, "Now, Lord, not my will, but thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities, but I will wait until thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for thee in the full conviction that thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower." Evening - Day 243 "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed." "I have seen his ways, and will heal him." It is the sole prerogative of God to remove spiritual disease. Natural disease may be instrumentally healed by men, but even then the honour is to be given to God who giveth virtue unto medicine, and bestoweth power unto the human frame to cast off disease. As for spiritual sicknesses, these remain with the great Physician alone; he claims it as his prerogative, "I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal;" and one of the Lord's choice titles is Jehovah-Rophi, the Lord that healeth thee. "I will heal thee of thy wounds," is a promise which could not come from the lip of man, but only from the mouth of the eternal God. On this account the psalmist cried unto the Lord, "O Lord, heal me, for my bones are sore vexed," and again, "Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee." For this, also, the godly praise the name of the Lord, saying, "He healeth all our diseases." He who made man can restore man; he who was at first the creator of our nature can new create it. What a transcendent comfort it is that in the person of Jesus "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily!" My soul, whatever thy disease may be, this great Physician can heal thee. If he be God, there can be no limit to his power. Come then with the blind eye of darkened understanding, come with the limping foot of wasted energy, come with the maimed hand of weak faith, the fever of an angry temper, or the ague of shivering despondency, come just as thou art, for he who is God can certainly restore thee of thy plague. None shall restrain the healing virtue which proceeds from Jesus our Lord. Legions of devils have been made to own the power of the beloved Physician, and never once has he been baffled. All his patients have been cured in the past and shall be in the future, and thou shalt be one among them, my friend, if thou wilt but rest thyself in him this night. Psalms 27:14 NASB 14 Wait for the L ord ; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the L ord . Jeremiah 17:14 NASB 14 Heal me, O L ord , and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For You are my praise. Isaiah 57:18 NASB 18 "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners,

Day By Day With Billy Graham / Make Room in Your Heart

Day By Day With Billy Graham

Day 243 of 366 Make Room In Your Heart When H. G. Wells summed up the influence of Jesus in history, he said, "Is it any wonder that this Galilean is too much for our small hearts?" And yet the heart of man, though small, is big enough for Christ to live in, if man will only make room for Him. Christ instilled the spirit of Christian love in His followers, so that they lived without malice and died without rancor. The love that Christ talked about can only be given to us by God. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. When you come to Jesus Christ, He transforms you. Your past is forgiven. You receive a power to love men, beyond your natural ability to love. Daily Prayer Instill in me, dear Father, Your same Spirit of love which enabled the disciples to live with true charity. Matthew 5:43-45 NASB 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Y ou shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Casting by David Jeremiah

Thursday, August 31

Casting 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. 
1 John 4:18 

Recommended Reading 1 John 4:17-21

Most fishermen know all about casting, but some take it very seriously. In 1881, the first casting championships took place in the outskirts of London; this event led, over time, to the founding of the International Casting Sport Federation. Today, the Federation organizes championships around the world for all ages. Casters are judged by distance and accuracy.

Christ-followers know a lot about casting too. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you.” Proverbs 22:10 says, “Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave.” Ecclesiastes 11:1 says, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” Ezekiel tells us to cast away our transgressions (Ezekiel 18:31). Jesus told us to cast out our nets for a catch (John 21:6); Paul told us to cast out the works of darkness (Romans 13:12); and Peter told us to cast all our care on Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

The apostle John, who was, after all, a fisherman, added a special word in 1 John 4:18. We should remember how much God loves us, he said, and that love will cast fear from our hearts. “Perfect love casts out fear.”

The chains of love are stronger than the chains of fear.
William Gurnall

God’s Radiant Beauty / Our Daily Bread

God’s Radiant Beauty August 31, 2017

Read: Romans 1:18–25 Bible in a Year: Psalms 132–134; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.—Romans 1:20 Lord Howe Island is a small paradise of white sands and crystal waters off Australia’s east coast. When I visited some years ago, I was struck by its beauty. Here, one could swim with turtles and with fish like the shimmering trevally, while moon wrasses drifted nearby, flashing their neon colors like a billboard. In its lagoon I found coral reefs full of bright orange clownfish and yellow-striped butterfly fish that rushed to kiss my hand. Overwhelmed by such splendor, I couldn’t help but worship God. The apostle Paul gives the reason for my response. Creation at its best reveals something of God’s nature (Rom. 1:20). The wonders of Lord Howe Island were giving me a glimpse of His own power and beauty. When the prophet Ezekiel encountered God, he was shown a radiant Being seated on a blue throne surrounded by glorious colors (Ezek. 1:25–28). The apostle John saw something similar: God sparkling like precious stones, encircled by an emerald rainbow (Rev. 4:2–3). When God reveals Himself, He is found to be not only good and powerful but beautiful too. Creation reflects this beauty the way a piece of art reflects its artist. Nature often gets worshiped instead of God (Rom. 1:25). What a tragedy. Instead, may earth’s crystal waters and shimmering creatures point us to the One standing behind them who is more powerful and beautiful than anything in this world. —Sheridan Voysey The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator. INSIGHT: Romans 1:20 declares that the intricacies of our universe point to a Designer and are proofs for the existence of God. Another Scripture that describes how creation points to God is Psalm 19. Captivated and awed by the immensity and beauty of the skies, David simply declares that God exists: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (v. 1). The majestic creation testifies to the presence and power of the even more majestic Creator God. David reflects on how God has revealed Himself to mankind so that we can know Him. God reveals Himself through His created works (vv. 1-6) and His spoken Word (vv. 7-11). In response, David prays for an obedient and faithful life (vv. 12-14).  How does the wonder of creation speak to you about God? Sim Kay Tee

Usefulness or Relationship? by Oswald Chambers

Usefulness or Relationship?

August 30, 2017

Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. —Luke 10:20

 
 
 

Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour “rivers of living water” through you (John 7:38). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7).

Our tendency today is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make their request for help on the basis of someone’s usefulness. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure who ever lived. For the saint, direction and guidance come from God Himself, not some measure of that saint’s usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that our Lord gives His attention to in a person’s life is that person’s relationship with God— something of great value to His Father. Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory…” (Hebrews 2:10).

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

The main characteristic which is the proof of the indwelling Spirit is an amazing tenderness in personal dealing, and a blazing truthfulness with regard to God’s Word. Disciples Indeed, 386 R

Imputing Righteousness to Your Account by Adrian Rogers

August 30

Imputing Righteousness to Your Account

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.”Romans 4:6

God imputes righteousness to you through His Son. What does “impute” mean? To put on your account. At the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God makes you righteous. Romans 4:8says, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” A woman was asked one day what it felt like to be saved and she replied, “It feels as though I am standing in Jesus’ shoes and He is standing in mine.” A scholar or theologian couldn’t have said it any better.

“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 Corinthians 5:21).

Thank God that though you are a sinner, He doesn’t impute it to you, and though you are not righteous, He imputes--puts into your account-- that to you!

August 30 / Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep(Ps. 107:23-24).

He is but an apprentice and no master in the art, who has not learned that every wind that blows is fair for Heaven. The only thing that helps nobody, is a dead calm. North or south, east or west, it matters not, every wind may help towards that blessed port. Seek one thing only: keep well out to sea, and then have no fear of stormy winds. Let our prayer be that of an old Cornishman: "O Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water. Here we are so close to the rocks that the first bit of breeze with the devil, we are all knocked to pieces. Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water, where we shall have room enough to get a glorious victory."
--Mark Guy Pearse

Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fair-weather faith is no faith.
--C. H. Spurgeon

Living One Day at a Time by John MacArthur

Living One Day at a Time “‘Do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’” (Matthew 6:34). The believer is not to worry about his future. British pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “Although it is very right to think about the future, it is very wrong to be controlled by it.” He was right, because worry is a tremendous force that will endeavor to defeat you. It will try to destroy you today by making you upset and anxious. But if it loses today, it will take you into the future until it finds something to make you worry about. In Matthew 6:34 Jesus says that you have enough to deal with today. Take the resources of today for the needs of today, or you will lose the joy of today. Lack of joy is a sin too. Many people lose their joy because of worry about tomorrow, and they miss the victory God gives them today. That is not fair to Him. God gives you a glorious and blissful day today; live in the light and fullness of the joy of that day, and use the resources God supplies. Don’t push yourself into the future and forfeit the joy of today over some tomorrow that may never happen. Learn this one little statement: fear is a liar. It will cause you to lose the joy of today. What’s more, God gives strength for only one day at a time. He doesn’t give you grace for tomorrow until tomorrow. When the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13:8), it means He will be doing the same thing tomorrow that He was doing yesterday. If you have any questions about the future, look at the past. Did He sustain you then? He will sustain you in the future. Since there is no past, present, or future with Him, there is no need for you to worry. Suggestions for Prayer Praise God for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. For Further Study Read Lamentations 3:21-24. What never ceases and never fails (v. 22)? What does that say about God (v. 23)? What does that give you (v. 21)? From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

NKJV 365 / A Friend in Need

NKJV 365 Day Reading Plan

Day 242 of 365 A Friend in Need As Job struggled through his severe trials, he must have felt as though the last thing he needed was counsel from people who only wanted to tell him what he had done wrong-and his three friends are remembered for doing just that. Nevertheless, these men started out with good intentions, and their initial actions are instructive for how we can serve a friend in need. * They set out as soon as they heard about his trouble. * They made up their minds to work together, arriving as a group to mourn with and comfort their friend. * They showed empathy when they wept for Job. * They showed their support for Job when they tore their robes in anguish, publically displaying their grief. * They gave Job their silent presence for seven days, comforting their friend with their presence yet giving him time until he was ready to unburden his heart. * They listened patiently to Job's expressions of sorrow and frustration. As we seek to comfort people suffering deep pain, our simply being present provides help and encouragement. Rather than always seeking to analyze or solve a problem, sometimes our patient, empathetic company can do the most good. Taken from The Modern Life Study Bible Job 2:13 NASB 13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / THE KINDNESS OF GOD OUR SAVIOR

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 241 of 365 THE KINDNESS OF GOD OUR SAVIOR God's love is not blind. He knows the depths and details of every person's sin. Here in the third chapter of Titus, he describes humanity as being "foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved" and continues by describing how people envy and hate one another. Yet, God loves sinners. He is kind and showed great mercy by sending a Savior for sinful people who can never save themselves. This Savior is Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to this earth, he arrived as the clearest picture of God's kindness and love. Jesus is described as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Heb 1:3). Jesus befriended sinners and showed compassion to the outcasts of society. In love, Jesus sacrificially laid down his life for sinners. God's love and kindness are plain for all to see in the person of Jesus Christ. All of God's people can find freedom in not trying to hide their sin and brokenness. Instead, people can fall freely on the mercy of God and experience his kindness and love through the forgiveness that Jesus provides. God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell inside everyone who turns to him in faith. God's children need not doubt the lovingkindness of the Father - they can receive his love by faith and find joy through the knowledge that their sins have been forgiven. Jesus, thank you for loving me before I knew enough to love you. Thank you for showing your love and kindness to someone so unworthy. Amen. Titus 3:3-7 NASB 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

August 30 / Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

Morning and Evening

Day 242 of 366 Morning - Day 242 "Have mercy upon me, O God." When Dr. Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry was made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the words, 'Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.'" In the same spirit of humility he directed in his will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on his gravestone:-- William Carey, Born August 17th, 1761: Died - - "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm On thy kind arms I fall." Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most honoured of the saints approach their God. The best of men are conscious above all others that they are men at the best. Empty boats float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their unprofitableness. We have need that the Lord should have mercy upon our good works, our prayers, our preachings, our alms-givings, and our holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled upon the doorposts of Israel's dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things, the blood of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be needed to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins? How sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be gracious to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones rejoice! Evening - Day 242 "All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk." Nazarites had taken, among other vows, one which debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors, and to make the rule still more clear, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order, altogether, to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil. Surely this is a lesson to the Lord's separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes, but even its spirit and similitude. Strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is both the safest and the happiest. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the sea-bank in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap speedily swells till a province is drowned. Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul, and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. Moreover, as the Nazarite who drank grape juice could not be quite sure whether it might not have endured a degree of fermentation, and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact, so the yielding, temporizing Christian cannot wear a conscience void of offence, but must feel that the inward monitor is in doubt of him. Things doubtful we need not doubt about; they are wrong to us. Things tempting we must not dally with, but flee from them with speed. Better be sneered at as a Puritan than be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own which are more than a sufficient recompense. Psalms 51:1 NASB 1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Numbers 6:4 NASB 4 All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, from the seeds even to the skin.