A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:164 How faithful we are to take our medications at the times prescribed. So why is it that we tend to be so unfaithful with prayer? Could it be that we are a drug induced society, instead of a Spirit filled special people. 1 Peter 2:9

Good Morning

I remember being at Disney in Florida with my daughter Stephanie a few months before she passed away from leukemia. She was riding in one of those cars with her brother, she wanted to drive by herself but she was a little weak and she finally allowed Patrick to go with her. As I looked down on her traveling by I seen her blond hair that had been thinned out due to chemotherapy and a little bald spot on the back of her head. She looked like the little old lady from Pasadena dashing down the road. She sped through life, but she managed to bless the hearts on many on the way. Her birthday is coming up on July 28, she would be 30 years old. I guess that this is why I am thinking of her. In her short time she learned much about life, just before she died she said to me. “Why does everything I love have to die?” How do you say to a five year old that everything dies because of sin? You don't! But you do point them to Jesus, then you give them back to Jesus when the time comes. Shortly before she went to be with the LORD, the door to her room was closed and I heard her talking. I knocked on the door and opened it expecting to see her and the person she was talking to. I found only her and said, “who are you talking to” Her reply in very matter of fact way was; “I'm talking to Jesus!” Physically she dies, but she is alive forevermore. I know this, because Jesus has given me peace and comfort and He is taking much better care of her.

Galatians 3

Galatians 3:15-18 Covenants, promises and inheritances. Seems to me that many of us do not understand all that God has done for mankind in these three confirmations of grace. We what covenants to be conditional or unconditional. We want promises to provide good, but do not have a consequence and we want an inheritance, even to the point of stealing it from the one who is slated to receive it. Yet the New Testament is clear. We want, but cannot obtain because we do not ask by faith. James 4:1-10.

The covenants, promises and inheritances were all made to Abraham and his Seed. Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 22:18. All the nations of the world are blessed through Abraham, that is what the scripture says, so the only possible solution to believe the scripture is by faith, not by works. Abraham had faith to please God and his Seed (Jesus) had faith to believe God too.

Thus, those who come to faith as Abraham, the same faith that led Jesus to the cross, the death and resurrection and pictured in the sacrificial offering of Isaac, Genesis 22:1-19. This faith contains all of the covenants, all of the promises and all of the inheritances. Those who have it, are living examples of the peoples of God who live and die in faith and they fit the description of Hebrews 11:13-16.

 By: Jesse Abel

A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:162 Some folks are treasure hunters who look for a temporary moment of entertainment and some are like this psalm writer who has found the treasure that endures the length of eternity!

Good Morning

Getusetavit! (Get use to it!) When I first heard that phrase I was listening to my wife talking about some critical thing she was explaining to her children. As the years past and those children grew, married and had children of their own. “Getusetavit” sort of faded out of her vocabulary. Actually, I forgot the phrase. But, just about two months ago, the family was all sitting together after a Sunday meal and out of the youngest daughter's mouth as she was talking to her son, I heard her say; “getusetavit”. My first subconscious reaction was “I heard that before”! I was reminded that life takes the child out of the family, but also that life cannot take the family out of the child no matter how old the child is. This made me think too that when we come to know Jesus personally, He makes us a part of His Family and He challenges us as children growing up that His grace is sufficient for our everyday walk with Him. And, He as the loving Father that He always is says to us. “My grace is sufficient for you – Getusetavit”!

Galatians 3

Galatians 3:10-14 The law does not, nor is it designed to develop faith in God, even God tells us plainly that the law and those who attempt to live by the law are under the curse. How often we miss those little definite articles like “the.” When we do it confuses the subject and then we become ignorant of what we should believe. The laws of God are designed to show us that we cannot obey God as the standard of holiness that He alone lives by.

So everyone who seeks to live by His law fails and the wrath of God on those who are disobedient (all of us) is the end result. So the message from God is not “Those that obey the law as best as they can will have faith that is pleasing to God” The message from God is this; “He who believes in the Son of God has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

So to be justified in the sight of God, there needed to be someone who was justified by faithful obedience to the law. His name is Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:5-11; Galatians 2:16 and a host of other scripture that describe to us that the just shall live by faith and cursed is everyone who seeks to please God by obedience to the law. In order for you and me to be pleasing to God we must be willing to follow the “just One” who is the justifier of those who follow Him by faith. Romans 3:26.

Please take the time and read the scripture references.

What in the World is Going On?

Practical Faith

in America

What role does America play in Biblical Prophecy?

Lesson #5

Someone has said that American has lost a practicing faith in God, they have said that America worships God but has no personal relationship with Him as in times before. We could sum it up by saying that certain parts of the whole counsel of God are being left out or seldom mentioned from the pulpit. The apostle in Acts 20:27 makes it clear to the Ephesians that he has never shied away from the teaching of the whole counsel of the Word of God. When churches pick and choose what will be said from the pulpit the congregation will soon become weak in spiritual discernment. We have studied the seven churches in Revelation and noted the weaknesses and the strengths of each. We determined that these churches are found throughout the world around us. But there is another aspect of this that we will approach today and that is - “On a national level; What kind of a church is America today”?

We can identify the blessings of America past:

In the introduction of a book written by Peter Marshall and David Manuel's book, “The Light and the Glory” They ask these questions. What if the the discovery of America was no accident? Did God direct the course of history? Does God have a special plan for America? Does God deal with Nations as a whole, as He deals as a whole with individuals? Other questions were asked, but we will stop with the last one. &ldquooes God deal with nations as a whole, as He deals as a whole with each individual”. I believe that in our heart we already know the answer.

The nation, like all nations is made up of hundreds of local churches which make up the national church of America. The national church of America then becomes a member of the national churches of the world around us and God identifies this mass of churches as His – Universal Church. John 3:16.

America's Blessings:

Even though America is not mentioned in the Bible it certainly is evident that God has a specific plan for the nation. America as a nation has been blessed more than any nation in history. Americans have an over abundance of wealth, technology and other achievements. This does not mean that American's are perfect. What it does mean is that, “God has Blessed America”

America – Leader in world Missions

Taking the gospel to the world around us. America is the only nation to effectively evangelize the known world. Approximately seventy five percent of all missionaries come from American soil. Scripture reveals that God's blessings are on obedience to His commands. One of those commands holds the following promise. “And lo I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20. Now it is pertinent that we hang on to that promise.

America – A Friend to the Jewish Nation

A promise given to Abraham in Genesis states that God will bless those nations who are friendly to Israel. Genesis 12:3. America has given the Jew full rights as citizens and to maintain their religious heritage. Also, since the reconstitution of Israel as a nation in 1948, America has been the strongest supporter and ally. God sees the Nation of Israel as the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8 and the nations who agree with God on this subject are blessed.

America – Has enjoyed Freedom

It is not because we are strong that this freedom reigns in America. It is because the writing of the founding documents of this nation are based on biblical truth. God's Word and personal freedom go hand in hand. The effort to remove the liberty to worship God is idolatry and it is the first thing that dictator government does. Dictators remove God as the center of worship and they replace Him with themselves. How simple it is for us to understand this blessing, but how hard is it for us as a nation to hold on to this blessing. It is hard because we as a nation have turned away from this promise – John 8:32, as individual disciples of Christ we have allowed our nation to walk away from – TRUTH!

America – Founded on the Word of God

Time and again we have learned that America established it's government by people who honored God and the Word of God. The history of America's relationship to God can be traced through the Pilgrim founders and the early colonists. It is also true that most of the founding fathers were standing faithful on the promises of God to overcome the challenges of the future. We debate today as to where America stands as a practical faith in God, but there is no doubt where America stood in the beginning of it's history.

Critics of Christianity can try to rewrite our nation's heritage, but they will fail. History is HIS-STORY! America was established by God on His faithful Word by the faithful men and women who founded her. God stands by His promises, promises such as these. Psalm 33:12 and Proverbs 14:34.

Biblical Silence on the future of America

In thinking about this we have normally focused on the United States, but we really need to take into consideration that there is no mention of the Americas in the Bible. From Alaska to Brazil and all of the nations within the American continent. There is no mention in the Bible of these specific nations. It is sort of like looking for the church age in the bible, the bible in the Old Testament sees Asia and the Second Coming of Christ as the first coming of the promised Messiah. While the New Testament looks to fulfill the command of Matthew 28:18-20 as the disappearing of an unseen church and the appearing of the Second Advent of Christ when the world is evangelized.

There are Three Possible Answers:

1. I call the Easy way Out – America will be incorporated into the European Coalition

2. Probable – America will be Invaded by Outside Forces

3. Likely – America will be Infected within by Moral Decay.

   We looked at Number One in lesson three and it is possible that America would be allowed to merge with Europe. We will not look into this extensively but you could look at these lessons from your notes or on the blog.

   The second point could and may happen. As the United States weakens economically and politically. It will line up with other nations within the Americas. Easy pickens for nations with nuclear capability, not to mention the uprising of terrorist nations and their abilities to acquire nuclear weapons. There will be a war in the future over oil and all nations will be affected by this war and the outcome will have major changes taking place in the world around us.

   And lastly, the more probable effect on the Americas is the infection of moral decay. Cultural practices within the continent has already invaded our homeland. Most of the nations that have fallen have not been from outside invading forces. Most have fallen because of moral corruption.

   Ingratitude to the grace of God causes the cycles of discipline of God to fall any nation that rejects the grace of God for the ways of the world. Read the book of Judges and see the thirteen times that the four cycles of God's judgment fell on Israel for being unthankful to God's grace. Also – Jeremiah 2:1-2

   Idolatry In Jeremiah 2:4-5 God accuses the nation of Israel of Idolatry. “What have I done that make you worship other gods” God asks that question to us as a nation today!

   Indifference Today, many of us are asleep and no one is asking where God is; Jeremiah 2:6-8. The light of the gospel is turned out in our heart and the Spirit of the Living God is rejected by the coldness of the nations heart. The pulpits across America preach a feel good message and the nation slides deeper and deeper into a spiritual comma. Not only is the nation suffering from economic and material woes, it is also suffering from spiritual collapse.

A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:162 I would like to agree with this Psalm writer that I abhor lying, the best that I can do is say that I hate to lie. God has this perfect law of liberty, but this does not give liberty to lie. This law gives me the liberty to know grace and grace enables me to walk by faith. Galatians 5:13.

Good Morning

How small is our world? I went on a two week missions trip to Ukraine some three or more years ago and met a pastor who's name is Sergei. He spoke Ukrainian and Russian, of course I could barely speak English. But with the help of his Son, Sasha (Alexander) we could talk freely. Sergei was a submarine sailor in the Russian Navy and we were both enemies at one time. We determined that the two submarines we were on operated in the same waters on at least one occasion. What a blessing we had during those moments of conversation when we saw how God had woven our lives together, under water and hundreds of miles from our homeland. Playing cat and mouse games of war in the North Atlantic. Then when the fullness of time came, Sergei accepted Christ, got a discharge from his navy and studied to become a pastor. As time continued God arrange for us to meet, to share the joy of Christ with each other and to observe by faith that we are brothers in Christ. For me this is what living in Christ is all about. God brings us opportunity daily, the sad part is that we fail to appropriate the moment since we are too busy with the flesh to hear what the Spirit has to say.

Galatians 3

Galatians 3:1-9 Could we not say today, “Oh foolish Americans! Many of us having been justified by faith seem to be somewhat bewildered about the truth of God. Our culture supports every kind of faith, but at one time we understood the crucifixion, the death and resurrection of Christ who is LORD. But today we allow liberal and legalistic thinkers of all religions and cults to separate our churches, families and children from, One Faith, One LORD, One Baptism and One God who is LORD over all.

In days gone by; The country around us supported people who began in the Spirit, but now we are a people who believe we can make ourselves perfect before God by living in the flesh. This is foolishness. Awe, I bet your saying, “not me” and oh how I hope that is true. Have we not suffered so many things. Wars and the loss of love ones, a heritage of bravery – was it all in vain? As a nation we so desperately need to return to God by faith.

From Genesis to Revelation, it is faith in God alone that pleases Him, it is not works and faith or faith and works. It is not all faith and no works nor is it all works and no faith – It is faith alone in Christ's faith to die and to be raised again. When God explained to Abraham that all the nations of the world would be blessed, it was not because of the man Abraham, but it was a blessing to the nations as God extended grace to all nations who believe in God just as Abraham had done. It is faith in God, because faith is found first in God who is faithful to us. His faith is the object that our faith follows – that is grace, in that Jesus Christ is the path finder of faith, Hebrews 12:2.

A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:161 It seems that many small town governments have turned the corner at the intersection of corruption road and integrity boulevard. Traveling this road are to be found the prince and princess of politically driven persecution. Proverbs 25:28

Good Morning

To be a sailor on the submarines of today in any country, that person must be schooled in many subjects. For example; he must have knowledge in the science of: Water, metal, chemicals, steam, electricity, air, gases, weapons, sonar and other essential attributes that make a submarine the stealth force that it is capable of being. Without the men who know these things the submarine is just a large metal object full of sophisticated equipment that cannot get out of its own way. Men and women spend hours each day building these vessels of war, nations spend enormous sums of money to build the ship and train the men. The men in turn, learn to trust their knowledge and they learn to trust the ship. We stand in awe at the abilities of countries design and build our war machines of today. Yes, these vessel have a certain inviting, but cold beauty. If you observe the reason of why these vessels of destruction exists you will see Satan in the background full of hatred for his Creator. And God responds; “For I so love the world, that I gave my only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 paraphrased. The real war is for the souls of God's created!

Galatians 2

Galatians 2:17-21 Justification, here is that word again and it is found, or implied in most of the Pauline epistles. Yes, if we have been justified in Christ and we are saved, but life does not stop there, it begins. We have discussed this before; justified, sanctified and glorified in the grace of God. To help us the apostle is calling to mind – Accountability. Now there are many of us who believe in Jesus who fail in the science of daily accountability in the home and in the work place.

Paul says; “Is Christ the minister of this sort of conduct? Who is accountable for this failure”? Is it Christ? Does He minister to us to do these things? Certainly; this in not true of Him! So if it is not true of Him, then it must be that the accountability for this failure to walk in justification falls on the person who returns to his or her old way of life before Christ came to be their Savior.

This then sets up a conditional repose (rest) for every believer in Christ to know and to live by. Our old way is crucified with the crucifixion of Christ. I no longer live for “me”, Christ lives in me now. Yes I do still live in the flesh, but this life now functions by faith, in the faith of Christ the Son of God who loves me. If we willingly set aside the grace, the only alternative to live for God is through the law, this is not good, because we then conclude that Christ's death was insufficient and this is false religion.