Devotion Proverbs 63:7 Tu, Solo Tu (You, Only You)
Proverbs 63:3 – “Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.”
Lord God, nothing is more precious or more fulfilling than Your love. I have known the beauty of a precious wife and have wondered over my children and now a grandchild, but nothing is better than Your love. You have blessed me with parents who loved me and cared for me all of my life to the end of theirs and still nothing is better than Your love. I have some family and friends, and Brothers and Sisters in Your family, and still nothing is better than Your love. Beautiful vistas and the beauty of Your creation have filled and moved my heart, and still nothing is better than your love. Modest success has been mine and still nothing is better than Your love. Nothing under the skies, and nothing in the heavens is better than Your love. Your love is the wonder beyond all of creation. With great telescopes we may peer into the stars and the blackness around them and be in awe, and yet nothing is harder to fathom than Your endless love for us. Your love, You, are the rock of my life. All that You have made me to be has only one foundation and that is You. I love You because You have first loved me. One moment with You is better than a thousand anywhere else. Thank you for loving me. Thank you Lord God Almighty. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit. Praise God! You are a search found and yet a search that is endlessly explored! Praise God! Glory to you Lord! Praise God! Every day a new song of praise is sung to you. A song of praise to Your steadfast love. A song of praise to You! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Acts 15:22-35 Love First, Everything Else Follows
“Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.” Suddenly, after Peter, Paul and James spoke, the council of leaders were at peace. Even those who had vehemently taken the stand that the gentiles should be circumcised were now at peace that gentile circumcision was not a requirement. After all the turmoil there was peace among the leaders. Strong disagreements were gone. Why? The wisdom of God had been spoken to men with humble and sincere hearts. 1 Corinthians 12:8 declares that there is a gift of the Spirit, a manifestation, identified as “…To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom …” One of the manifestations of this gift of supernatural wisdom is that it can bring peace to situations where there seems to be no way to peace. No one has the answer. We may have not recognized it as this gift, but it is probable that we have all seen it. When contesting people are getting deeper into their position and there seems to be no answer that will bring everyone to peace and unity. Then someone stands up and speaks, perhaps almost the same exact message that has already been stated, but is then said in a way that suddenly breaks the ice and peace and unity prevails. That person may wonder themselves at the effect of what they said. It worked because it was a message from God, the great Peace Maker, and came with the authority of the Holy Spirit. They, in the first generation church needed that gift and Family, we are no different. Again, let’s not despise the gifts of the Spirit, but welcome them. They were gifts from God to the past generations of Believers and are gifts to us in our generation.
Why didn’t they just send Paul and Barnabas back to share the message? It is most likely that some from Jerusalem were sent with them as a type of verification to the Gentile believers that what Paul and Barnabas were to report was indeed the decision of the Jerusalem church.
“They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.” Judas Barsabbas and Silas were selected to travel with Paul and Barnabas to support their delivering of the Jerusalem Council decision. Both of these men are identified as prophets in V32. So here is another proof that the original twelve apostles were not the last to have these spiritual gifts, as some today falsely assert. Also, these were men who walked the walk. They were respected as believers and leaders.
In these verses we see the veracity of the old saying “In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, in all things clarity.” The foundation of our faith is that we are saved by grace, offered through Jesus and that in no way are we saved by works (by what we do). We can do nothing to add or supplement our salvation. To teach that is to deny that what Jesus did was the full work of God. Also, if we must do something to keep our faith then works is part of our salvation. That is heresy! But things such as smoking, seeing movies, types of worship music, the use of visual aids during the message are not essentials. Certainly there is wisdom and preference, but not essentials. Even the gifts of the Spirit, though certainly highly valuable and great blessings, are not essentials. All Believers have the Holy Spirit. All! But the gifts are not proof of salvation, knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord, including no works, is what includes us in the family of God. Unfortunately, some who are supposedly wise, will write books and tear down those with differing opinions in front of the world, and these being other believers. That is not expressing the love of God and not heeding the Word of God (1 Corinthians 6:1-6). Those Believers who fight in public are doing something shameful! We are to be known by our love for one another (John 13:35). It is arrogance that is behind those who are divisive. One thinks he knows something that another does not. And vice-a-versa. So they write books denigrating another Brother, they do so on radio, or television, or video. They do this in front of the world who is looking for something different but instead see Believers acting no different than the world. How is that drawing those in darkness to the light? Family, if we disagree, let’s talk with each other and pray for God to bring us to an answer. If it is a non-essential let love, peace and unity rule the day. The essential is not to express our own non-essential doctrine, no matter how resolutely we believe. Our doctrine is not what we are to share. What we are to share is the Gospel. What we are to share is the love of God. If anyone does not agree on these priorities, they are walking in darkness, no matter the level of their scholarly achievements. God wants achievement in getting out the Gospel and showing His love to the world and not in proclaiming one’s pride in their scholarly endeavors.
Yes, we will be known as disciples of Christ by our love and not by bickering over non-essential doctrine. If we are not known by our love for another, we are not legitimate children of God (1 John 4:7-8). This is what the Word of God says. Let’s love and support each other. Let’s love all the people of the world, as God does. Let’s share the love of God that is expressed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s be right before God. Let’s love. And always, in everything we do, let us give praise, gratitude and glory to our holy and loving God. Amen! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion John 14:1-3 A Perfect Groom
John 14:1-3 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; 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.”
How lowly, how despicable, how selfish the man who woos the woman, who receives her devotion, who has received her very heart and so many of her hopes, and then, after the “I do’s” are said, walks away and leaves her at the altar? She stands at the altar and waits. What is he doing? Where has he gone? When will he be coming back? Will he be coming back? Slowly her heart breaks and she begins to drown in shame and sorrow. The hushed voices of the wedding guests are a suffocating gas to her. The preacher offers a consoling arm. Her parents rush to her side. At that moment her whole future lays in ruins on the floor. How despicable that groom who would do that!
Jesus is the Groom and we are His Bride. He would never act in such a way. He has made a promise and He has never lied and neither will He ever lie. He has promised to love us for eternity and He does and He will. He has promised to never leave or forsake us and He will keep that promise. He has promised to prepare a position for us in the presence of the Father that will remain forever and He already has. Family there is nothing and no one on this earth that is incapable of disappointing or hurting us in some way, on purpose or by accident. Jesus, the Great Groom, will never, no not ever, hurt us or leave us. He loves us with an everlasting love. So when the world hurts us, or leaves us, or no longer considers us of any value, remember that there is One who would never hurt us and will never leave or forsake us. There is One who always loves, values and cherishes us. There is One who loves every moment of our company. He loves us sharing our thoughts with Him and He knows the answers to encourage our hearts and heal our wounds. The Answer is yesterday, today and forever the same. The Answer if Jesus! Let us love Him and hold fast to Him because He is the precious gift from God to us. He is the greatest treasure anyone can have. Be encouraged. Don’t let your hearts be cast down. Remember who loves us. It is Jesus, who is able to save and keep us all. Praise God! Thank you Jesus! Praise God!
Jesus does not lie – Isaiah 53:9
Jesus will never leave us or forsake us – Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20
Jesus is above and greater than the world that brings us sorrows – John 16:33
God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit love us forever – Jeremiah 31:3
There is nothing and no one that can tear God’s love and presence from us – John 10:28, Romans 8:31-39
God created us to fellowship with Him – 1 Corinthians 1:9
God made a way, one way, to be fulfilled and saved, and that is only through Jesus – John 14:6
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Acts 15:19-21 Free To Be Second
Acts 15:19-21 – “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the Law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” Peter had said in V15:10 “putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?” He was stating that they themselves, the Jews, had not been able to keep the law, why then would this burden be placed on the Gentiles? Paul wrote in Romans 3:20 that no-one is declared righteous by the Law. In fact God knew that man, having taken on a sin nature, could not wholly keep the Law. However, as Paul said in the above verse, the Law was meant to show us that we could not fully keep the Law. Since we cannot keep the whole Law, and it must be the whole Law (James 2:10), we need a Savior. So the Law teaches us the need of a Savior which leads us to Jesus. That is why telling a neophyte only that God is love, and leaving out His righteousness and holiness, is not helping to prepare them for their walk with Jesus. These Jewish Christian leaders at Jerusalem, led by the Holy Spirit, made the correct and wise choice to keep the Gospel message pure that we come as we are, fully accepted by God. Keeping in mind that we come to the family of God as babies, but babies must mature to become adults. Therefore childish things are left behind. So, we come into the family of God only through through His grace, but if we truly love God, if we truly love Jesus, the sins that we have done will become cleansed from our lives by God Himself. Still, it is God’s work in us. We do not save ourselves and we do not sanctify ourselves. It is completely the work of God, and praise God that it is because we can do neither!
“Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the Law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” So since there are no conditions on our walk with Jesus, why did they tell give these restrictions? First let’s look at Romans 14:13-18 where Paul, speaking of dietary restrictions, explains that while we have complete freedom in the grace of God to eat any type of food, we should not eat food that will make others stumble. Because we know that eating a type of food, say pork, is okay for us to eat, does not mean that we will offend our brother or sister who comes from a background that pork is not right to eat. If they are new in the faith, or if due to the culture of their family they believe it is wrong to eat pork and we, knowing that, try to feed them pork, how then are we being gracious or loving to them. Instead we offend them. In fact if they, being more gracious than us, eat it but consider it wrong to do so, we have now led them into sin. How? Because if we eat or do something that we think is forbidden, whether or not it actually is forbidden, then the person who does that is sinning. It is sin, because if a person does what they believe is forbidden they are doing something that they think God forbids, so in their belief they sin because they are, in essence, rebelling against God and doing what they think it is wrong. In other words, they have a spirit that is willing to rebel against God. It is the intent of their hearts that matters (1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 5:8, Jeremiah 17:10). So in that way, if can offer pork to someone who thinks they should not eat it we can become the weapon of the enemy against our brother or sister. God forbid!
Some will insist on their freedom and hurt the weaker brother or sister. They stubbornly and proudly insist on their liberties even if it harms another. They smirk and partake, or even offer to another though it may hurt them. Yet Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everyone in every way. I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” Family, it all comes down to love. Do we love ourselves and our “rights” more than we love others, the very family of God? Must we exercise, sometimes smugly, our rights, not caring about hurting the very children of God and then in the next breath say that we love Him? Remember 1 John 4:7-8 which directs us to love one another and then warns us that if we don’t have the love of God flowing through us, then we do not belong to God. Family, be careful, our actions show who we love most, ourselves, or others, and even God? Furthermore, Paul instructs us in Philippians 2:3 to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Are we obeying this instruction when we eat or drink something and hurt others? Family, we must lead with love and follow wisdom. Being willing to hurt others so that we can exercise a freedom in front of them is not showing love, but a desire please oneself. Let us be wise and know that the Lord sees all and He knows our hearts, He sees past the charades and views the true condition of our hearts. So the reason the Jerusalem Council requested the dietary conditions is that they express their love for the Jews whom they might offend. The council was requesting that they express their love for their Jewish Christian Brothers and Sisters.
While not elaborating too much at this time, do not think that in all conditions all sin is the same. That is not true across the board. It is true concerning salvation. Any sin, whether a “small white lie” or a murder, will keep one out of heaven if one is not a disciple of Jesus. The point is that only perfect righteousness will get us into Heaven and we only have that if Jesus is our Savior and Lord. And even then, if one is not saved, come judgement day the sentence for one’s sin is certainly determined by one’s sin and one’s knowledge. In Luke 12:48 Jesus said “But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows…” So there is a degree of punishment and it has to do with sins of commission and of omission. 1 John 5:16-17 clearly shows a degree of sin “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.” What are greater sins? Sins that we do against the body and those are sins of sexual immorality. Adultery (sex outside of one’s marriage), fornication (all sex when not married) homosexual sin (same sex sin), incest (sex with close relatives), and sex with animals are all strictly forbidden and are more grave sins. Leviticus 18 goes into greater detail. God calls all sexual sins not only repugnant to Him, but a degrading of our own bodies (Romans 1:26-27). God says that people who do such things have depraved minds and are filled with all manner of evil. God furthermore states that those who do such thing know better than to do them, but with their depraved minds and lusts, do them anyway (Romans 8:28-32). So we see that there is sin that is considered more evil than other sin. Certainly we know that the sin, and it is a sin, to steal because one’s family is hungry, is not as bad as murder. Among sin, sexual immorality is especially repugnant to God and an act of direct disobedience.
In regards to our Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, let us love them and consider them before what we consider our rights, as we are able to. In caring for them over ourselves we show ourselves to be children of God, who for our benefit, did not spare Jesus. Let the freedom that Jesus gave us be a freedom to be second. As for sin, let us eschew sexual sin of all kinds, which destroys our lives even to the spirit. Let us keep God and His children first, and protect ourselves against evil. Yet should we fall into selfish or vile sin, we must always remember that the power to repent and be cleansed from sin through the blood of Jesus is more powerful than sin and of endless supply. (1 John 1:9). Praise our God! Praise Jesus and the Holy Spirit! Praise God who loves us so! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Acts 15:12-18 The Spirit, The Word And Signs
Acts 15:12-18 – The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—18 things known from long ago.
“The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.” Peter had given a strong argument, he was reminding them, of what they had already settled upon, that what God calls clean we should not call dirty. Clearly we know that anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). We know that it is by faith alone that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). We agree with Martin Luther who is quoted as saying “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” James 2:24 is not in contradiction. The works come from the Spirit who dwells within the saved, but the works are never a means to be saved. So the position that the Gentiles must be circumcised in an effort to complete their salvation was a dastardly assertion. We are saved, and kept, by God alone and not by any work that we can do.
Not just to the believers, but even to those who were considered the bedrock of our faith, miracles mattered. They received as proof the acceptance of the Gentiles by God the miraculous signs God gave. Family, God gives signs and wonders to us too for the same reason. They are a “sign” that God is moving and it causes us to “wonder” what God is saying, or showing. We should not think that the signs alone were proof to the early believers. We can be sure that as these leaders listened to Paul and Barnabas they were “testing the spirits” of what was being said. Just as we should. (1 John 4:1) We must remember that there are wolves among the sheep (Matthew 7:15)
“When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.” By this time James was considered the leader of the Jerusalem believers. A very weighty title. So when he said listen to me, they listened. It would be as if the pastor of a church said to the congregation “Listen to me.” The attention of the congregation would focus on him and certainly those present at the Jerusalem council intently listened to what James had to say.
“14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.” We notice how James used Simon, Peter’s Hebrew name. This would have the appeal of reminding the mostly Jewish Christians that Peter himself is their brother as being a Jew and a Christian. That would mean that what Peter said might carry more weight. Also, it is said that James was known to be a very conservative Jewish Christian. He knew the Old Testament.
He agreed with Peter and supported him saying that this was an issue that was already agreed upon, that the work of Jesus saved Gentiles and that God received them just as they are. God gave them the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues even though they were not circumcised. Therefore God saves us as we are and no work on our part is required.
“The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—18 things known from long ago.” James begins to quote the Old Testament (Amos 9:11-12). James likely knew the original Hebrew text and also the Septuagint. It is interesting that James quoted from the Septuagint (The Greek translation of the Hebrew text) rather than the original Hebrew text. Possibly because most were more likely to be familiar with the Septuagint as many Hebrews, at that time, did not speak Hebrew but spoke Greek.
Family, let’s look for God leading us by His Spirit and by His Word. In that the Holy Spirit will sometimes, even today, bring about supernatural signs that are meant to provide proof of His work. We should not blindly accept all supernatural events, but make sure that they line up with the Word and how the Holy Spirit reveals it. Just as true is that we should not blindly reject the supernatural signs from our supernatural God. Let’s receive, as God gives the supernatural signs of God but ought to allow them to do what they are meant to do, lead us to Him and to encourage and edify us. God is not giving less love, gifts and generosity to us than the first generation church. He loves us as much and has not taken from us any blessings that He had given to them. Also remember that we are saved by faith and by faith alone. We don’t need to add anything to the work of Christ for us. However, we should not hinder the Spirit but we should allow His Spirit to have His work within us and that will produce works that show who we are in Him. Family that is the greatest miracle! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion John 11:41-42 More, More, More
John 11:41-42 – So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
Jesus said this just before the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. His faith was based on absolute knowledge. Our faith is likewise based on knowledge, the knowledge of God. At first we had little knowledge of how full and satisfying God is in every way. How He is always able in every situation. The more we personally know God, the more we trust and love Him. How much do we know God? As much as we have wanted to (James 4:8). We all know that though we ache to know Him better and walk ever closer with Him, we could do better (Jeremiah 29:13). There is a state of continually seeking (1 Chronicles 16:11). It is both a conscious effort and an eternal desire that burns within (Hebrews 12:1-2). Like any fire we need to tend and feed it. We do so by taking what God gives us and not leave it sitting uncared for and unappreciated (Hebrews 5:11-14). We put it in the fire that God created in us and the fire in us grows (Isaiah 43:1). God is who starts the fire and He is the tender of the fire (Psalm 121:7). At the same time we are to treasure and not take for granted what He does for us. If God gives us a log for the fire, then put it in the fire. At the right time, and with no delay, He will give us another log to raise the fire higher. All we have to do is accept it and add it to the fire. Really, if we want to know God deeper, if we want more fellowship with Him, we just need to keep adding what He gives us to the fire. He will build the fire. If we feel like things are getting cold, look and see all the logs He has already given and add them to the fire. Brothers and Sisters He never forgets us, always loves us, and is always providing all we need (2 Peter 1:3). He does it all, it is just a matter of accepting and applying what He gives us. He gave us His Holy Spirit and His holy Word. It is all we need. Truly, with His Spirit and His Word within us we will be guided in every way. Got God? Want ever more! Ask and we will receive (Matthew 7:7). God loves us and wants us to keep wanting more. From Him, there is always more! Praise God! Yes Lord Jesus, more of You! Evermore, more of You! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Acts 15:5-11 Never A Change, By Faith Alone
Acts 15:5-11 – Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”” Again, let’s remember that the Word of God states that those who were erroneously stating that the Gentile converts needed to be circumcised were believers. And we see that what was said in Syrian Antioch was the same thing that they said here. Why? Because they were firmly convinced that they were right and that the Apostles and other leaders in Jerusalem would agree with them. Brothers and Sisters, sometimes some who are also believers latch onto a wrong doctrine. They are also believers, like us, but have fallen into error. Let’s acquiesce that though we all endeavor to have it all right all the time, sometimes we also misunderstand. Jesus said that we should “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) How would we want to be treated if we, with all honest intent, latched onto some wrong doctrine? Would we want to be called a heretic and blasphemer and be excommunicated? That is doubtful! We want to be loved and shown our error for our own benefit, even if it took some time and energy to show us. Well let us do as Jesus said to and treat others how we want to be treated. Correct the error, of course. But also let us remember and take heed lest we forget this warning of Jesus “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” (Matthew 23:23-24) Jesus wants us to do what is most important, and that is not “do this and don’t do that,” it is justice, mercy and faithfulness. In other words, let’s be very strong about essentials, and very gracious about non-essentials.
“The apostles and elders met to consider this question.7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them.” Although Peter and Paul had tensions between them in their lives (Galatians 2:11-14) none of that mattered. Peter stood up to speak what was right. Was he standing up for Paul? Perhaps. But what most mattered to Him was the Gospel of Christ and glorifying God. May we set aside any possible grievances against each other and may we not divide over smaller dissimilar beliefs (though this was a big one and needed to be addressed). Instead keep our eyes on the Lord and the peace and unity He brings to us all. (Ephesians 4:1-3, 1 Peter 3:8).
“Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?” How gracious were the Apostles and leaders at Jerusalem. They agreed to rehear something that had already been settled. In Acts 10:1 – 11:18 they had accepted that the Gentiles were received by God as He had clearly directed to Peter. They had all agreed that the Lord called these Gentile believers who He filled with the Holy Spirit and cleansed. The Lord had told Peter not to call dirty what He called clean. And now this same issue had arisen again. It seems that Pastors speak on a topic on Sunday and on Monday the lesson is often already forgotten! Some were confused, being loyal to their past culture and tradition, they thought that the gentiles ought to obey the law rather than walk in the freedom of God’s love through grace.
Peter spoke to the truth of the matter, God looks at the heart of a person. He did it for David (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). In fact He does it for all of us. Though we continue to bumble in our walk He looks at our hearts. Now that is not an excuse or permission to sin, but a fact that God understands His plans for us much better than we do. He knows our hearts and is pleased with a heart after His heart.
God had powerfully come upon the Gentiles as He had come upon the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2). God does not discriminate between Jew and Gentile. He does not only give the Jew or the Gentile the offer of salvation, but desires that all would be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).
Peter told them that in their insistence upon the following of the law they were testing the work of Christ. They were saying that the work of Jesus was not able to fully save but that something else was needed. They were reverting to the law for salvation, even though the law could not save any of them because no-one can fully keep the law. If one is looking to be saved through the law then they must perfectly keep keep the whole law because to violate one law is to bring condemnation as if violating all the law. God’s standard to live in peace with Him is perfect holiness, and none of us can live up to that.
“No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” There is something in here that it would be easy for us to miss. Notice that Peter did not say to the Jews, who were proud of their heritage as keepers of the Holy Scriptures, that salvation has come to the Gentile through grace just as it came to the Jews. No, He told the Jews that grace came to them just as them just as it has come to the Gentiles. We may not notice this, but we can be certain the Jews did. Peter was telling them not to be proud, telling them to not feel that only Jews could be blessed by God, or that the Gentiles had to do something extra to receive God’s grace. He was saying that we all come to God the same way. Peter was also stressing to them that is no difference between Jew and Gentile or between man and woman, between all people on how we come to favor with God. We all come through the grace and faithfulness of God who draws us to Jesus. God does the work and cleanses us all through faith alone. Let no man attempt to dirty this pure genius of God.
Family and Friends, let us celebrate the goodness of God who desires that we all be saved by faith in the work and person of Jesus. God did not want the way back to Him to be hard, but to be easy. He cleared the way for us to have peace with Him. He did it through Jesus. Let’s cling on to simple truth of God that we love and cling to Jesus and we shall be saved. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Acts 15:1-4 Hold Fast To The One Truth Part 2
Acts 15:1-4 – Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
“So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.” These believers, with the doctrine that defames the work of Jesus genuinely believed what they were teaching. They were sincere, but they were sincerely wrong. Again, it is by faith alone that we are saved (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16). Only the unknowing, the cults and the heretics preach that we must be saved by faith but then be kept in the favor of God by works. Family, let’s not let people who are sincere and charismatic, by the force of their speech, ever convince us that we are saved or kept by works. Let us never insult the Lord in such a way. Let us hold fast to the true doctrine of “faith alone.”
These people were convinced that they were right in their position that the gentile men must be circumcised to truly have entrance into God’s family, and they would not back down. They truly believed that they had the backing of the church leaders in Jerusalem. So, after discussion and arguing (“sharp dispute and debate”) what was the best way to resolve the issue? It certainly was not to keep arguing and dragging the unity of the saints through the mud. Since the people who came claimed the weight of the Jerusalem leaders was behind them, then Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to bring this question front and center. In Matthew 18:15-17 Jesus tells us how to settle a disagreement, or a wrong. The next to last step is to take it to the church. So, off to the acknowledged leaders of the church they went.
“The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.” They left Syrian Antioch and travelled down through Phoenicia and Samaria. They did not go by ship, which would have been much quicker. Instead they went by land which was about a three hundred mile journey. As they travelled they let all the believers that they encountered know how the Gentiles in Galatia and Cyprus had come to the Lord. It was a great encouragement to the believers that the Gospel was being spread and Jesus was being glorified. It is still the same to us. Whether it is hearing that a relative, friend, neighbor or someone on another continent has come to the Lord, we rejoice for those Brothers and Sisters and for the Lord Jesus. We like to hear about people coming to salvation. We are encouraged and uplifted every time.
Some think that Paul and Barnabas came by land to spread the news of the Gentiles receiving Jesus so by doing that, they were building support for their ministry, and their position. Perhaps they would carry more weight in Jerusalem if people knew how God was working through them and giving them their support. Were they trying to build a wave a support? Of course, it doesn’t say that, but some commentators believe it may have been an ulterior motive.
“When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.” Certainly by the time Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem the leaders knew that they were coming and likely knew of the great work God had been doing through them. We read that Paul and Barnabas did not boast as it they had done something, instead they gave full credit to God for all the holy work done through them. We likewise desire not to usurp God’s glory and praise, but to make sure that He, and only He, gets all the praise and glory. We thank God for our salvation knowing that He was the cause, the deliverer and is the sustainer of it. We unite with our Brothers and Sisters who lived two millennia ago in praising God for everyone who comes to Jesus. We are thankful that God changed our path and we are now an eternal path of communion with God because Jesus made the way. We strive to walk in the holiness and love of the Lord. Though we are daily transformed, we will only be perfected on the other side of the death of our earthly bodies. There we will be as He is (whole and complete) and our joy complete. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2) Of all people we have the most reason for joy! Jesus, and only He, has saved us, praise God! Yes, yes, praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Acts 15:1-4 Hold Fast To The One Truth Part 1
Acts 15:1-4 – Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” V5 seems to imply that that these people (KJV “men”) were Pharisees that had become Christians. They came to Syrian Antioch and began to preach doctrine opposed to the foundation of Christian belief that we are saved by faith and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16). These men were teaching what some cults would like us now to believe, that the work of Jesus Christ is strong to save, but weak, limited, or non-existent to train us not to sin and to keep us from sin after the initial point of salvation. The devil has, since the advent of Christianity consistently and repeatedly tried to undermine the Truth that we are saved only by faith and not by what we do. So persistent is this lie in the world that it has crept into the church and it even attempts to invade our minds to sully the pure Truth of the Gospel. This “Jesus plus” is always wrong, is never from God, is always evil. The devil does not care what you believe so long as it is not the pure, unadulterated, no additions Gospel. If one wants to believe in any religion other than the pure message of the Gospel, the devil delights is that. If one wants to believe that cockroaches are gods, the devil is happy. Anything will do, as long as it is not the pure Gospel of Christ. When these people came and preached, their “Be saved by Jesus and…” garbage, it was potentially ruinous to the faith of the young believers. Believing the “Jesus plus” message, or believing in cockroach worship, have the same value.
Jerusalem believers (the Apostles and disciples there) was where the early church looked to for leadership. So that these people were from Jerusalem would have carried weight. Beware people who display their lineage, or the church they come from, or even their degrees, if they do not preach the pure Word of God only, but want to put their opinions into it. Stand fast in the Word of God that He has given us for instruction and guidance.
“This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.” Of course it did. Paul wrote to the Galatians “Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Galatians 1:9). Paul knew the danger of a grace plus works doctrine. He also wrote “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galatians 3:1-6) Family, faith plus works is a lie from the enemy an anathema to our faith. Paul asked the Galatians in V4 “Have you experienced so much in vain…” Let’s say it and know clearly, any belief other than that one is saved only through faith in the person and work of Jesus, is a lie from the devil. All roads do not lead to Heaven. Of course Paul and Barnabas came into “sharp dispute and debate with them.” This was, and is now, a matter of spiritual life and death.
Family and Friends, let us not be deceived by the error that is preached of ecumenical desires for all religions to unite is a good thing. What is a good thing is that Believers continue to hold to the truth of the Word. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) Truth is that only through Jesus are we saved from the road that leads to destruction. Oh we want peace for us and all, but we must continue to proclaim that true and lasting peace is only, yes only, found in Jesus. We want the world to have pure love and pure joy and that is only found in Jesus. To acquiesce to anything that detracts from our “Only Jesus” message is to also become part of their deception, indeed, to feed it. To not tell the truth in order to not displease makes oneself their satisfier and thereby we think what we do is better than the Word of God. We make ourselves gods who have words that are sometimes better than God’s Word, us supposedly knowing a better thing to tell people than what our God has given us to give them. We all were once headed to hell and now that we are off of it our solitary message is “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) Though the world hates the message, though they curse and defame us for holding fast to God’s Word, that we must do. God’s Word teaches us Truth, the philosophies and religions of the world, are all lies. We don’t apologize for saying that. We trust God over all the lies of the devil. Also, let us not be haughty, but humble, and love the world as God does. In that we display that we belong to Him. Be loving, humble and gracious after all, we all were likewise once lost. But now, thanks to God’s eternal love for us, we have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus! Praise God! Always and forever praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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Devotion Lamentations 3:21-23 Another One Follows
Lamentations 3:21-23 – Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
On a winding coastal road,
Each turn has its own beauty.
Don’t look back to past blessings.
Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
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