Verse for Today - Hebrews 9:27-28 "EAGERLY WAITING FOR HIM?"

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."

Biblegateway.com Hebrews 9:27-28

Biblegateway.com Hebrews chapter 9

This is an important verse.  For a long time I have understood it as primarily focusing on the fact that men live and die once... And that after this living-and-dying-once it is too late to change one's spiritual state or future.

As I reflect on this passage today... it does teach what I always thought, but there's two additional points to be made by what follows.

1. Christ's atoning death is a once and done event.  It was and is a wholly sufficient payment for all the sins of His people (those who hope in and receive God's grace).

2. His people are then described as "those who eagerly wait for Him."

I guess this is the part that intrigued me... Do we eagerly wait for Him? What does, or what should, that look like?  As Chapter 9 concludes and Chapter 10begins, it is clear that we should trust in Christ's perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.  

Verses 19-25 are worth a careful reading.  Look for the words: "faith," "hope," and "love."

Then notice his final exhortation.  "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some..."  Wonder why?  Short answer: God says so and we can trust He knows what we need.

Verse for Today - 1 Peter 5:8-9 (Click for mini-blog)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

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Read all of 1 Peter 5

What does the world do with a verse like this?  Probably nothing.  Depending how they see they world, they might think there’s no need to be alert and watchful.  From their perspective they might think that Satan and evil beings don’t exist.

What do Christians do with a verse like this?  It’s something we should think about.  Sometimes Satan pretends to be an Angel of Light (see 2 Corinthians 10) and sounds almost Christian.  He uses deception and seduction to fool people into thinking they’re with him on God’s side when they’re not.  Of this sort are pastors who make you feel good about yourself and entice you with promises of wealth, success and happiness.  They won’t tell you to deny yourself, take up your cross and be ready to suffer for Christ. 

In Verses 8 and 9 we’re warned that sometimes Satan doesn’t pretend at all.  He hates God and he hates devoted Christians (see Rev. 12:17).  Sometimes he can ruthlessly persecute and crush them, seemingly at will.  What should Christians do when confronted with evil in this way?  

ANSWER: “Be watchful and sober minded.”  “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  Stand against evil and the Evil One and you have done your job.  In the last part of the verse he connects our trials to those of others around the world… and perhaps throughout history.  With faithful devotion, God will be pleased to either rescue us or welcome us into his eternal kingdom.  Those with genuine faith trust their heavenly Father to provide for them in this life and in the life to come.

Verse for Today - Psalm 19:14 (click for mini-blog)

Psalm 19:14

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

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Read all of Psalm 19

Psalm 19 is an important Psalm.  It is the classic reference for the two ways in which God has revealed himself.  He has done so by "General Revelation (vss 1-4) and Special Revelation (vss. 7-11)... that is to say through the creation all around us AND through the self-revelation of His Word. 

In other words, for those with eyes to see, the EVIDENCE is everywhere... around us and within.  Examples abound... from birds being able to migrate to places they've never been and construct nests they've never seen, to the way our minds can remember the past, and really even the existence of life at the molecular and chromosomal level.  

Special revelation is something else.  It is the visitations and written record of these visits and revelations.  On a practical basis, God's special revelation is mostly the Bible.  2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture was given by inspiration of God is profitable..."  It records the truth and teaches us about God, His grace and the work of salvation He accomplished in Christ.  

In our Verse for Today, the Psalmist recognizes the importance of the words he is speaking and thoughts he is thinking... that their ultimate standard is God Himself.  

We will all be measured by the the same Standard, and so we should all pray this same prayer.

Verse for Today - Ephesians 2:19,20 (Click for mini-blog)

Ephesians 2:19,20

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

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Read all of Ephesians 2

These two verse from Ephesians 2 are important.  They anchor a number of essential truths that affect how we're supposed to think about ourselves, the Church, and the Scriptures.

1. Ourselves.  The Book of Ephesians is written to essentially a "Gentile" church.  Most of the members were not of Hebrew or Jewish descent.  They are no longer "strangers and foreigners" but "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."   In other words, they are not second class citizens, but are fully on par with other members.  While this might not sound like that big a deal, it really is.  It identifies believers (regardless of race) as belonging to God... as those who have been bought and paid for by the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The Church.  The Church is composed of individual believers who become inter-related with each other..."fellow citizens and members of God's household" or family.  Pretty remarkable.  These words describe the core of our identity.  We really, truly, and genuinely become co-heirs with each other through the Gospel of grace in Christ.

3. The Scriptures.  Here's the zinger.  1 and 2 are amazing, but don't yet distinguish those who assume they are the Church from those who actually are.  3. The Scriptures are the only foundation on which the Church is built.  "The Foundation of the apostles and prophets" is the objective standard of the Word of God, such that our relationship to them determines our relationship to God.

Not everything that calls itself the Church is.  Only those who hold to the Scriptures and its message are true.  Paul affirms this in Ephesians 4:4f "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism...." And with earnestness in Galatians 1:8 when he says, "But even  if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed."    

So be like the Bereans in Acts 17 and search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so.  :)

Verse for Today - Psalm 19:1,2 (click to read mini-blog)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

^{Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge."}

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Read all of Psalm 19

The first few verses of Psalm 19 affirm what is called "general revelation," that God has revealed Himself in the very fabric of life and the world in which we live.  Throughout the ages people have recognized their smallness and God's greatness, glory and power, when they look at the world around them (and via microscopes within them).

Yes, there are some who come to other conclusions, but "we have an app for that" (an explanation).  God made mankind and the world very good.  But our first parents, Adam and Eve under the instigation of the Devil, ate of the tree of which God said they should not (the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil).  As a result they brought spiritual blindness and death upon themselves and their posterity.

So, from the viewpoint of the Bible, it is the fool who concludes that there is not God and those with clouded judgement who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.  This is because they fail to fulfill their high and holy calling of living in fellowship with the God who made them.  

 

That this is so is affirmed in Romans 1:21 "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

 

I guess the question for us all is, "Are we thankful to God and glorifying Him as God?"  

If not... why not?

Verse for Today - Ephesians 3:17b-19 (click to read mini-blog)

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

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Read all of Ephesians 3

-- 

This out-of-place benediction is found in the middle of Ephesians 3.  The Apostle Paul has been expounding the outworking of the God's redemptive plan.  From the beginning He was planning to extend his transforming grace to people of every race, language and location around the world.  For a time, the Nation of Israel (the offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) were THE covenant people of God... but now through the Gospel of Christ, the People of God has been expanded to include believers from every race and place.  Those of Hebrew descent are now just a part (albeit the root) of God's cosmopolitan global congregation, His Church.

This is the MYSTERY we read about at several points in the Book of Ephesians (1:9, 3:3, 3:4, and 3:9)... The Creator of all, is the Lord of all, and the God of all... and by His Sovereign grace calls them (and brings them) to Himself through His Son, the Savior Jesus Christ. 

I don't know a better way to conclude that with the verses just preceding Today's Verse:  

^"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;"  Ephesians 3:14-17

 This is my prayer for you too.

Verse for Today - Romans 5:6-8 (click to read Mini-blog)

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

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Read all of Romans 5

Parts of the first 11 chapters of Romans are pretty intense.  Romans 5 would certainly be included in this.  Understanding the severe affect of the Fall and its consequences in the hearts and minds of men is essential.  

Today's verses are pretty clear on the affect of sin on our spiritual selves.  We are called "powerless."  In Ephesians 2:1-3 we are called "dead in sins" and "children of wrath."  All of which indicate the desperate and dark condition of the human heart.  None of this is new.  Before and after the Flood, the assessment of mankind was "only evil all the time" and the Prophet Jeremiah proclaims that the heart is "deceitful above all things" and "desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9).  

All this provides the amazing back drop for God's grace in the Gospel:  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

If you can see your sin, look to the Savior. 

Verse for Today - Isaiah 53:3-4

Isaiah 53:3-4

"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted."

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Read all of Isaiah 53

Tis the Season... for remembering what Christ did to save us from our sins.  In vivid fashion Isaiah 52:13-53:12 recounts the expectation, experience and anticipated outcome of the Messiah's work.  

Today's verses recount some of how He would be perceived by the people of His day.   He came as the Suffering Servant.  He came bearing the sins of his people.  While on Palm Sunday He was hailed as their King, in just a few short days he would be rejected, despised, spit upon.  No doubt the people (when they saw His broken, beaten and bloodied body) thought He was then getting what He deserved.  They did not understand that He was really getting what THEY deserved.

2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Verse for Today - Ephesians 6:10-11 (Click link to Read mini-Blog)

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

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Read all of Ephesians 6

This verse begins the final section of the Epistle to the Ephesians.  It's the section that talks about our need of spiritual armor to fend off the wily attacks of Satan and the world.  Verse 10 begins with a pretty bold assertion.  "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."  Of course this is probably easier said than done.  It seems there's always a tension between knowing what we're supposed to do and doing it.

Well, as this section unfolds we are given some pretty good clues about how we might do the things we're supposed to do.  We are to "put on the full armor of God."  After we're given this command we're told that this armor is essential in standing up to the devil's schemes.  Another way of saying this is that if we don't put on the armor and rely wholly upon the Lord, we will fall.  These verses shouldn't make us live in fear of Satan, but they should make us draw closer to God for his protection.  AND if we're going to draw near for his protection, it means that we had best be sure we're keeping "in step with the Spirit" by hearing and heeding His Words.  

Think also of the Lord's prayer and the Sixth Petition.  "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."  Now think about this just a moment.  We're taught to pray (even commanded to pray) for God's protection and then we're commanded to do the very things that will provide for our protection.  Something to think about.  

Verse for Today - 2 Peter 1:5-8 (click to read explanation)

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

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Read all of 2 Peter 1

These verses from 2 Peter are pretty direct.  He is not describing how we can or might be saved, but rather how we as believers--who've been redeemed by the grace of God through Christ's death on the cross-- should strive to live.  

First off there is a string of qualities that becomes our bulls-eye in living out the Christian life.  These don't just happen.  They are the result of earnest prayer and effort.  Will we do these perfectly?  Not likely, but it does become the standard by which we measure ourselves.  This is where the second sentence comes in... that if we see these qualities growing within ourselves, we will know we are on the right road and making progress in living for Christ.  The big word that describes this process of becoming more faithful and fruitful is sanctification.

However, we should not go too easy on ourselves... you know right a way thinking that mediocrity and half-hearted devotion is OK.  Peter follows these verses with a pretty sharp warning:

^9 "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins." 

Verse for Today - II Corinthians 1:3-4 (click link to read mini-blog)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

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Read all of 2 Corinthians 1

In these verses the Apostle Paul is proclaiming his undying devotion and commitment to the Lord for his grace.  At the heart of his words is the conviction that Christianity works.  That when we worship God and sing His praises, we are doing exactly what we were created to do.

But he pushes this to a level beyond ourselves.  He says, not only did and does God do this for us, He comforts us so that we can comfort others.  What do you say to someone who has lost a child, a parent and friend?  Sometimes nothing... sometimes you just go and share their sorrow, try to help them to bear the pain.  

We live in a broken world, but one day all will be made right.  As Revelation 21 says, 

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Verse for Today - Psalm 33:4-5 (click to read about)

"For the word of the Lord is right,

And all His work is done in truth.
^{He loves righteousness and justice;}The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."

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Read all of Psalm 33

Psalm 33 is remarkable on a number of levels.  In recent years it has become a favorite of mine.  It is subtitled in the NKJV "The Sovereignty of the Lord in Creation and History."  Verses 4 and 5 follow a five-fold exhortation to worship and rejoice before the Lord.  Verses 4 and 5 provide the "short" answer for why all of God's people should give glory to God.  The "long" answer is really the remainder of the Psalm.

Now let's consider these two verses.    The Lord Almighty and all that He does is impeccable... without sin.  He is and is the source of truth and righteousness.  These virtues (His virtues) are part of why we should worship and serve him.  Can we trust God?  Can we trust his words, will and commands?   ABSOLUTELY!  Listen to Deuteronomy 32:4:

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He."

These things cannot be said of anyone else.  Trust and worship the Living God.

Verse for Today - James 4:10 (Click to READ)

James 4:10

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

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Read all of James 4

This verse in James 4 is found amid of exhortations in which the inspired author instructs believes how to see themselves and live in the world.  I remember when I first read and preached on this passage I was almost embarrassed by the strong language and forceful words.  Verse 10 is mild by comparison.

We're told to humble ourselves before the Lord... we do this by recognizing his greatness and our sinfulness.  He is the Lord and Master of all and we are unworthy and undeserving creatures.  I've said before that when we pray with out faces to the ground, we are modeling the proper relationship between ourselves, others and God.  

A little earlier in this passage an important verse from Proverbs 3:34 is quoted: . 

"God opposes the proud 

 but shows favor to the humble."

That should be reason enough for us to obey today's verse... and yet there is also a promise... "and He will lift you up."  How cool is that.

Verse for Today - James 1:5 (Click to Read Brief)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." 

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Read all of James 1

James 1 is a profound chapter on many levels.  In this first section he is explaining how trials and troubles are commonplace in the Christian faith.  With a tinge of hyperbole he says we should count it a joy when we face these difficult times.  This exhortation is not based on the idea that we should "enjoy" the difficulties, but rather the beneficial affect of them.  

The exhortation of Today's Verse is a good reminder and concludes with an encouraging promise.  If these difficult times are leaving you at a loss, pray to God... ask him for wisdom and understanding.  Lean on Him and He will supply what you need.  

Earlier today (before even thinking about sending out this verse) I found myself singing the verse of "How Firm a Foundation."  Notice the question in Stanza 1 is answered in Stanzas 2-5 (especially 4).  I think they fit.

1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
   Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
   What more can He say than to you He hath said—
   To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2. “Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
   For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
   I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
   Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
3. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
   The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
   For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
   And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
4. “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
   My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
   The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
   Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
5. “The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
   I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
   That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
   I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Verse for Today - John 4:23 (click to read mini-blog)

"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

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Read all of John 4

As Jesus is talking to the Samaritan woman in John 4, He speaks about the nature of God and the nature of true worship.  God does not have a body like us.  God is spirit.  In another place we're told Christ as the second Adam became a Life-giving Spirit (I Corinthians 15:45).   The mutual identification of God the Father and God the Son is clear.

The nature of true worship is equally profound.  Those who would worship the truth God, must worship Him in an acceptable manner.  There are right and wrong ways to worship.  From Jesus broader teaching ministry we learn that God is not impressed with self-righteousness and/or ritualistic worship.  Those who draw near to God must do so with humility or meekness... and Godly fear... they must also do so with a diligent true or genuine faith.  Here are a couple verses that speak of this pretty directly:

I Peter 5:⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Hebrews 11:⁶ 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.

Verse for Today - I John 4:20-21

1 John 4:20-21

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."

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Read all of 1 John 4

Today's verse is one of those gut-check verses that is hard to ignore.  You see the Scriptures are described as being "living and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12) and in another place,  "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable..." (II Timothy 3:16). 

Well, as were read a passage like I John 4:20-21, it reveals what's in our hearts.  The Word of God is applied by the Spirit of God to the individuals who read and hear it.  Of course, for those who might have a deep and sincere hatred for someone or anyone really, this verse might be a discouragement.  However, the intent is not to discourage but foster transformation... change.   

What should we do?  How do we get past such thoughts?  Certainly, we need God's help (grace).  Even with it, it will take earnest effort on our part.  The key is doing the things that we can.  I'm convinced that actions and feelings are connected (part of the same circle if you will)... and that "actions" are best in the driver's seat.  In time right feelings will follow right actions.  Do what you know is right.  Treat others (even those under your skin) with kindness and respect and if nothing else YOU will begin to feel better.  :) 

Verse for Today - II Corinthians 5:18-20 (click to read mini-blog)

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."

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Read all of 2 Corinthians 5

In these verses the Apostle Paul is emphasizing the centrality of God in providing salvation.  How much more clearly could he state it?  "All this is from God." He is the one that provided His Son as our Savior. And Jesus would be true to His name, "For He would save his people from their sin" (Matthew 1:21).  

These truths become the basis for what the apostle says next.  God does it all, but He administers His grace through the ministry of Gospel preaching... "the message of reconciliation."  Ambassadors represent those who send them.  They don't have authority beyond their charged responsibility.  In the case of Christian ministers, they plead the Gospel message on behalf of God and Christ.  They are exhorted to exhort you: 

"BE RECONCILED TO GOD!"

(If you haven't already, know that your present and future happiness depend on it.)

Verse for Today - 1 Peter 1:15-16 (click to read mini-blog)

1 Peter 1:15-16

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” ”

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Read all of 1 Peter 1

Today's verses are brief and obligatory.  In context these verses affirm the close connection between faith and its fruits.  

Some of you may have heard me explain that in this brief section from 13-15 there are really only two main verbs.  The other words that are frequently translated as commands are actually participles describing the manner in which the main verbs are to be carried out.  The first imperative (or command) instruction is "rest your hope fully in the grace that is to be brought to you..."  In other words, have faith... trust and rely upon God's gracious promise of redemption in Christ.

The other command is found in verse 15, "be holy in all your conduct..." which is then repeated in the quotation "Be holy, for I am holy" from Leviticus 19:1.

In a nutshell these verses make the same point as the song, "Trust and Obey."  What should you trust in?  The grace of God offered in Christ's atoning sacrifice.  What should you obey?  God's revealed will, His commandments.  

Clear?