not wonder. Know that you can count yourself worthy to escape the wrath to come. Trust in Christ for your life.
Week 9
Scripture text—John 9:31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
This may be a hard truth for some to swallow but until a person has been cleansed by the blood of Christ, he/she cannot enter into God’s presence with prayer. Only Christians can expect access to God in prayer because in his eyes we are no longer sinners but saints. The penalty that belongs to us (death—Rom 6:23) has been laid on Jesus Christ so that those who believe that truth may appear sinless before God.
God knows the state of each heart. He will measure our true devotion. His ear is open to his own. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus was speaking and he said that many that pray do so out of habit not having any intimate relationship with him. He calls their prayers vain repetitions and he refers to the people praying as heathens. They should save the effort. God is not listening. Find the perfect antidote to your sin problem (gift of the cross) and then enter the throne room freely. Those of us who know and follow Christ are not heathens but heirs to the throne of God with Christ our Savior (Rom 8:14–17).
It is discouraging to know that so many people pray to a God that is unknown to them. They wonder why their prayers are not answered and their lives do not improve. Time and again, folks plead their case with a vague spirit in the sky and do not study the Bible to find out who he is or what he wants from us. The feature verse of the week describes it. He wants worship and obedience. He will hear you if you trust in his plan of salvation and appreciate his astonishing gift. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23b). Consider the grim truth in Matthew 7:21–23:
Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Trust in Jesus Christ. Get to know him through scripture study and prayer. Then know that you are heard since you are a member of his family. Even better news for those that are born again (by the Spirit—John 3:3–6), we have the help of the Holy Spirit making up for our failings and confusion. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom 8:26). That is a heavy promise and a peace bringing truth.
Week 10
Scripture text—Luke 10:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning
fall from heaven.
What a great reminder that our Lord is eternal as the Holy Trinity. Theologians disagree about the time of Lucifer’s rebellion and his casting out of Heaven. Some believe it was before Adam and Eve and some a time afterward. Nonetheless, Jesus Christ was certainly present in Heaven at the time.
It is important to know that Jesus was not only born as a child in Bethlehem in a manger to atone for our sins with his death some thirty-three years later, but that he could only do that because he was sinless and perfect. He was God incarnate. What a sacrifice he made for us. He came to live on this planet with his creatures for a time and was exposed to the same situations that are common to all people, yet he remained true to his mission to redeem us and overcome Satan for good.
When Christ uttered “It is finished” (John 19:30b), he meant that his death conquered Death. His mission was accomplished. Happy is any person that believes this truth.
Since Lucifer (renamed Satan) was cast like lightning from Heaven, he has been making use of his time accusing God’s saints and hoping to gain a populace to join him in Hell.
Consider Job 2:1–2, “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Peter similarly said in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Those of us who are Christians are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Satan is limited in what he can do to us, yet he works hard to make us grieve the Spirit within us. Unbelievers have no such protection and are wide open to Satan’s influence. Until the very end of time, we will have to contend with the prideful angel of former splendor (Isa 14:12–15). The spirit world is real. It is necessary to wear the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil. The enemy is exposed and the tools God supplies for protection are told us in Ephesians 6:12–18:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Often people want to make themselves into more than they are, which is created beings. It is too late for the rebellious angels. They cannot be redeemed. Humans are special in that sense. The commonly used phrase pride cometh before a fall is Biblically based (Prov 16:18). Satan fell fast. At the final judgment, Satan will be cast into Hell for good (Rev 20). A third of angels and the wide road of humans will have to join him. Ask Jesus to rescue you from that terrible fate.
Our God is eternal as God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ—the Word), and God the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7). Jesus is in Heaven now and was in the beginning.
Week 11
Scripture text—Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
It is one of the hardest things to relax and let God do his thing in our lives. We tend to lay awake at night wondering about the project at work, how we will pay the month’s bills, our children, and even the smallest concerns like which shoes to buy.
Scripture reminds us that instead we are to rest in his provision. He knows what we need before we ask him (Matt 6:8).Worry is a sin since it shows lack of faith. God says if you have only the faith as a mustard seed you can move mountains (Matt 17:20). Imagine if you had faith the size of an avocado pit. He is aware of everything including our baseless worries and our struggles with faith.
We serve an omnipotent, sovereign God and we are his children. Remember how well your earthly father works to please you and meet your needs (mine is a great example of this). More so your heavenly Father who is above all and limitlessly capable knows your needs and wants (Luke 11:13). He desires to be a part of each detail of your life. Let him. He has even the hairs on
