Daily Promises: Psalm 138:7 10/30/21

Theme: Thanksgiving for answered prayer. God works out his plans for our lives and will bring us through the difficulties we face.

verse 7> Though I walk (L) in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your had against the anger of my foes; (M) with your right hand (N) you save me; (O) References:

L-Ps 23:4> Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

M- Jer.51:25> “I am against you, you destroying mountain, you who destroy the whole earth,”
declares the LORD. “I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you off the cliffs, and make you a burned-out mountain.

N- Ps.20:6> Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.

O- Ps.71:20> Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

Reflection
Fear not the troubled paths of your life. Give no concern to the sundry evils that press in upon you. Give your entire focus to the pursuit of the interests of the heavenly kingdom. Ever will the Shepherd protect His sheep. Ever will the King of all watch over the ways of His subjects. O believer, be not dismayed for neither shall you faint in weariness nor fall to the missiles of the enemy. Trust in Almighty God and proclaim the peace of His hand!

Daily Grace:

Joseph Also Viewing the Future, by Faith
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:22)

When Isaac and Jacob pronounced blessings upon their posterity, they exemplified viewing the future, by faith. When Joseph requested that his bones some day be buried in the land of promise, he was also viewing the future, by faith.

Joseph’s journey to leadership in Egypt was marked by alternating battles and blessings. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him into slavery. “Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers…sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt” (Genesis 37:28). Soon, Joseph found blessing under the care of Potiphar, an Egyptian captain who purchased him. “And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put in his hand” (Genesis 39:3-4).

Yet, another battle arose. Joseph was imprisoned when Potiphar’s wife lied. She resented Joseph’s refusal of her sensual advances. “‘He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice’…Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison” (Genesis 39:14, 20). But, more blessing came as the Lord granted Joseph favor with the prison keeper. “And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners…because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper” (Genesis 39:22-23). Another spiritual battle ensued, as one of Pharoah’s servants forgot Joseph’s kindness to him in prison. “The chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream” (Genesis 40:23-41:1). Joseph’s interpretation of Pharoah’s dream would bring Joseph to his position of authority in Egypt. “You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).

Faith in the Lord certainly sustained Joseph and brought him to God’s desired place of service and opportunity. Yet, our present verse reveals that Joseph’s basic interest was not his own blessing and advancement. Joseph had a heart for the plans and purposes of God. As he viewed the future, he was convinced that the Lord would some day bring His people back to the land of promise. His request to have his bones buried in the land of promise was an expression of his faith in God’s promises. “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here” (Genesis 50:25).

Lord God of eternity, as I alternate between the battles and blessings of life, help me to view the future by faith. Remind me that Your everlasting purposes can guide and shape my temporal circumstances, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Promises: Psalm 91:14 (KJV)

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Psalm 91:14)

(NIV) ” Because he loves me” says the LORD” I will rescue him: I will protect him, for he acknowledged my name.

Reflection:

God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.

Daily Devotions – Fri. Oct.29,2021

DAY BY DAY BY GRACE :: TODAY’S READING

Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future, by Faith
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. (Hebrews 11:20-21)

Since we have previously considered Abraham’s offering of Isaac (in the meditation on God’s promises on August 9), let’s move on to consider Isaac and Jacob. While pronouncing prophetic blessings upon their descendants, these two men became examples of viewing the future, by faith.

The example of Isaac actually occurred in the midst of a deceitful plot by one of his own sons. Isaac wanted to pass on a blessing to his oldest son, Esau. “Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him…’Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die'” (Genesis 27:1, 4). Jacob (the supplanter or “schemer”) disguised himself and lied to his father, attempting to steal the blessing. “And Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn…sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me’…And he did not recognize him…so he blessed him” (Genesis 27:19, 23). Although Esau later was given a blessing as well, the blessing for Jacob passed on the headship of the family to this younger son. “Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you” (Genesis 27:29). When informed of the deceit, Isaac let the blessing stand. The Lord indicates this was an act of faith in the purposes of God.

The example of Jacob also occurred in an unusual setting. Joseph was bringing his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a family blessing. “Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them” (Genesis 48:10). Joseph brought Ephraim (the younger) toward Jacob’s left hand and Manasseh (the firstborn) toward his right hand. However, Jacob crossed his hands, thereby switching the primary blessing. “And Joseph said to his father, ‘Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.’ But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he'” (Gen 48:18-19).

These actions may not seem significant to us. Yet, the Lord lists them as notable steps of faith in Him. Why? Because these blessings reflected and instituted aspects of God’s sovereign plans, in spite of inappropriate scheming and established traditions.

O sovereign Lord, I bow in faith to Your perfect plans and purposes. What a comfort to know that Your will cannot be thwarted by inappropriate schemes or established traditions. Teach me to view the future with faith in Your wisdom and Your sovereignty.

Daily Promises for today – (Psalm 91:14)

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Reflection
God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.

Daily Grace, todays reading:

Abraham’s Obedient, Earthly Sojourn, by Faith
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Abraham provides one of the most profound studies concerning the extensive consequences of walking by faith. One lesson he offers is that trusting God enables us to obediently leave familiar settings to follow the Lord into new, uncertain situations. Beyond this, Abraham’s example sheds light on how to face our entire journey on earth. We see this in Abraham’s obedient, earthly sojourn, by faith.

God called Abraham to leave his familiar homeland and to follow Him to a new land that the Lord would give him. “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you'” (Genesis 12:1). Abraham obeyed the Lord by stepping out through faith into a monumental change. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance.” He trusted the Lord to lead him, even though he was given no indication of where this land would be. “And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” When he arrived in the land, his faith again was exercised by having to sojourn there, as if he were an alien in a foreign land. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country.” Year after year, he moved about in tents with his son and grandson, who were also promised this same land: “dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”

There certainly are times when the Lord calls us to follow Him into unknown territory. Only trusting our Lord, as Abraham did, will sustain us. Still, whether circumstances are shifting or stable, we are to face all of life’s journey as he did. This world is promised to God’s children some day. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Until the Lord makes it so, we sojourn here as visitors (in the world, but not of it), walking with our God and being used by Him. Meanwhile, like Abraham, we are waiting by faith for an everlasting city that man cannot produce. “For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Lord God of Abraham, for any changes that You want to lead me into, I want to trust You, as Abraham did. Lord, for all of my sojourn here on earth, I look to You to keep me and use me—as I await Your return, Amen.

Daily Promises (October 26th)

(Revelation 2:11) KJV

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

NIV – Whosoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (F)

References; F- Rev.20:6> Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Rev.6:14> The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Rev.21:8> But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Reflection Believers and unbelievers alike experience physical death on this earth. Then the time will come when all people will be resurrected. Believers in Jesus Christ will be resurrected to eternal life in his new creation. Those who don’t believe in Jesus or who oppose him will be resurrected to be judged and sentenced to a second death, eternal separation from God. (Rev.20:14>Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Rev.21:8,27>But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.Rev.22:15>Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood)

Follow Christ even unto your death and your reward shall be great! Life—and that eternal! Nevermore shall the sting of death be felt. Nevermore shall the wasting of the body be remembered. Life! Life! Life! To worship the Son forever, casting down glory upon glory at His feet—so is the beautiful destiny of all those who believe! So take heart in your faith and taste the true and everlasting life!

Sun. Oct. 24,2021

“Daily Devotions”

Daily Promises-Todays Promise Psalm 16:5

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup; thou maintains my lot.

(NIV) LORD, you alone are my portion (Q) and my cup(R) you make my lot secure.

References: Q-Ps.73:2-6>But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

Day by Day by Grace . todays reading Hebrews 11:5-6

More on Enoch’s Pleasing Walk with God, by Faith
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death…for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Before Enoch was taken to heaven, he walked with God in a manner that pleased the Lord. Enoch’s faith in God is what was pleasing unto Him. “Before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Pleasing God, as Enoch did, should be our desire.

Many people waste their lives by aiming to please themselves. Their lives are choked with self-indulgence. “And the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity” (Luke 8:14). They have ignored the fact that pleasing self cannot lead to spiritual growth and Christlikeness. “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves… For even Christ did not please Himself” (Romans 15:1, 3). Others live in carnal bondage to human opinions. Their consistent priority is to please people. This was part of King Saul’s downfall. “Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice'” (1 Samuel 15:24). We cannot aim to please man and still serve God. “Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

Living to please God is what we were created for. This can never happen apart from faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Coming to the Lord in true biblical faith begins with a conviction that God exists. “For he who comes to God must believe that He is.” Additionally, God-pleasing faith eagerly anticipates the Lord’s gracious response to all who truly seek Him. “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Although there are many blessings that result from pursuing the Lord, the ultimate reward is God Himself. God told this to Abraham. “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward'” (Genesis 15:1).

Lord God Almighty, too often I have aimed at pleasing myself. At other times, my goal was to please people. Thank You for Your patience and forgiveness. Now, my heart desires to please You in all things. By faith, I know that You exist. By faith, I seek You, anticipating the grand reward of knowing You better and better, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily day by day’ Grace 10-22-2021

Abel’s Acceptable Worship Sacrifice, by Faith
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. (Hebrews 11:4)

The Lord desires that people become true spiritual worshipers of Him. “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23). This can only become a reality through faith in the Lord. One helpful example of this is Abel’s acceptable worship sacrifice, by faith.

Cain and Abel were two sons of Adam and Eve. The time came when they both offered sacrifices unto the Lord. “And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat” (Genesis 4:3-4a). The sacrifice of Cain was rejected by God, whereas Abel’s sacrifice was accepted. “And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering” (Genesis 4:4b-5a). Our primary verse tells us why Abel’s gift of worship was acceptable to the Lord. “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Abel’s sacrifice was given by faith. It came from a heart that believed in the Lord and trusted in His righteous ways. “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD…but He loves him who follows righteousness” (Proverbs 15:8-9). When the Lord accepted Abel’s offering, He was declaring that Abel was righteous in His sight: “through which he obtained witness that he was righteous.” Elsewhere, the word confirms that Cain was an unbeliever; whereas, Abel walked in righteousness. “Cain…was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12).

When we offer worship sacrifices to the Lord, He is looking at our hearts. Are we trusting in Him? Are we yielding to the righteous paths that His word has set forth? Whether we are offering praise, giving thanks, doing good deeds, or sharing our resources with others, we are to do it all by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased…you…are being built up a spiritual house…to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:15-16 and 1 Peter 2:5).

Dear heavenly Father, I want to be a true spiritual worshiper of You. I repent of any sacrifices that I have offered from self-interest or self-righteousness. I want to offer my worship to You through faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.

Daily Devotions – Fri. October 22, 2021October 22, 2021Bro. WallerEdit”Daily Devotions – Fri. October 22, 2021″“Daily Promises”

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

References: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.(k) and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; (M7) and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.(N) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, the will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive(O) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
K- Col.2:3>in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

L-Acts 24:25>As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

M-2Peter 1:3>His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

N-1Thess.3:12>May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

O-John 15:2> He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Titus 3:14>Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Reflection

My Prayer: Gracious Lord, instill these moral principles in my heart. May these qualities be seen in me that others may know of Your wonderful character. Make me fruitful and useful for Your kingdom! For the only blessing that I seek, is to see You using me daily.

Share this:Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.

Daily Devotions – Fri. October 22, 2021

“Daily Promises”

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

References: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.(k) and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; (M7) and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.(N) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, the will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive(O) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

K- Col.2:3>in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

L-Acts 24:25>As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

M-2Peter 1:3>His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

N-1Thess.3:12>May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

O-John 15:2> He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Titus 3:14>Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

Reflection

My Prayer: Gracious Lord, instill these moral principles in my heart. May these qualities be seen in me that others may know of Your wonderful character. Make me fruitful and useful for Your kingdom! For the only blessing that I seek, is to see You using me daily.

Hebrews 5:9

and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

Kingdom Life – Bible Study
Daily Promises:

Hebrews 5:9
and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,,,(NIV)
References:
1Corinthians 10:14>Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
Focus Points: Idol worship was the major expression of religion in Corinth. The city had several pagan temples, which were very popular. The statues of wood or stone were not evil in themselves but people gave them credit for what only God could do, such as provide good weather, crops, and children. We still have idols but in decedent forms. We put our trust not in statues of wood and stone in things like paper money, plastic cards, and our phones. Putting our trust in anything for what God alone provides is idolatry Our modern idols are power, pleasure, prestige – anything that we consciously or unconsciously trust in and pursue more that God. When we understand contemporary parallels to ancient idolatry,

Paul’s words to “flee from idolatry ” become much more meaningful. Christ was always morally perfect. By obeying God the Father, he demonstrated his perfection to us, not to God or to himself. In the Bible, perfect usually means “complete” or mature”. By sharing even our experience of suffering, Christ shared our human experience completely. This gives us confidence in the eternal salvation he offers to those who submit to him. (For more about the attitude Christ demonstrated as he gave up his divine privileges to be born as a human being, see Philippians 2:5 -11> In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[fn] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[fn] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The fact that we have been offered eternal salvation means that the verdict on our sin has been eliminated, judgment has set aside, and undeserved membership in God’s family has been awarded to us. This salvation changes our destiny, awakens our hope, and overcomes death. Salvation turns a person toward heaven and starts the journey of discipleship with the living Christ. It is God’s invitation to you and his energy invested in you. Because he has saved you, you can smile in the morning and rest in the evening. God loves you, and you belong to him.

Once Christ obtained His human perfection, He became the source of eternal life. Eternal life is given to those who obediently accept the gift given to them by God.