Clothing of Salvation

Isaiah 61

10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!

For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation

and draped me in a robe of righteousness.

I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit

or a bride with her jewels.

While Isaiah didn’t know the “clothing” of which he spoke, we now do know! Galatians 3:27 says that those of us who are baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. Such clothing is our salvation! This morning, I cannot help but rejoice in the new clothing given me on August 27, 1985, when I was baptized into Christ! My clothing of salvation is the only clothing about which I care!

Clogging Up God's Ears

Isaiah 59

1 Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you,

nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.

2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.

Because of your sins, he has turned away

and will not listen anymore.

My sins clog up God’s hears. Not literally, of course, but why should I expect God to listen to my prayers when I have unrepented sin in my life? I mean, in this passage, God is talking to His people. We know from other passages of Scripture that God does not listen to the prayers of those who do not love and obey Him. So, if I have sin in my life from which I have not repented, those sins clog up God’s ears. He does not listen to my prayers until I have repented of my sins and turned back to Him. The Lord is plenty strong enough to save me, and He does want to listen to my prayers. I just need to make sure that I am in a right position with God before daring to try to talk with Him through prayer.

Work for the Lord

Ephesians 6

7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

I love this verse! Yes, I know Paul is talking to slaves here, encouraging them to work hard for their masters. But this also applies to anyone who works for someone else, doesn’t it? I mean, we should always work with enthusiasm as if we were working for the Lord! To live our lives in such a way as to bring God the glory and honor always, we should constantly strive to do our best in everything we do. God is the source of our talents, abilities, energy, etc. so of course we should do it all to bring Him glory. May my enthusiasm and diligent work ethic honor my Lord today and every day.

Smell-Good Living

Ephesians 5

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

As followers of Christ, we are to imitate God in the way that we live our lives. Love is the key. Forgiveness is essential. Obedience to the Word is non-negotiable. When we live that way, our lives indeed are a pleasing aroma to God. I like smelling good to my Creator, don’t you?

Living Like a Christian

Ephesians 4

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Our Emilies are going through tough times right now, and this passage speaks to me (and hopefully to them) in a mighty way. When we hang on to bitterness, et. al. nothing good can come from it. When we decide to live as Christians being kind, forgiving and loving, life really is much better. Easier said than done, but no less important to put into practice.

God is the Source of Salvation

Isaiah 45

22 Let all the world look to me for salvation!

For I am God; there is no other.

23 I have sworn by my own name;

I have spoken the truth,

and I will never go back on my word:

Every knee will bend to me,

and every tongue will confess allegiance to me.”

So, when the Jews heard these words from the prophet Isaiah, why didn’t they understand that salvation was coming even for the Gentiles? How blind must they have been to what God’s Word was saying to them? How set in their ways? How could they try to keep putting God in the box they made for Him? How guilty are we of doing the same kinds of things today? I LOVE what God says in verse 11 of this chapter: 11 This is what the Lord says—

the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:

“Do you question what I do for my children?

Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?”

Who am I to question what God does, or how He does it? Who am I question for whom God’s blessings will fall? Why would I try to keep those blessings to myself, when they are clearly intended for everyone? Why would I be so presumptuous to think that only people who think like me could find favor with God? No, God will make the decision about who gets to be in His family. His Word is clear about the requirements to join His family, but He is God and just because I may think someone has fallen short of those requirements, doesn’t mean that God thinks so. He judges the heart, He extends the invitation, and I will welcome all who accept that invitation with open arms.

Invitation to Join The Family

Ephesians 3

6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Jesus saves. Now THAT is Good News. Jesus saves all who believe He is the Christ and are obedient to the Gospel. That news is the Best. News. Ever. To think that God has extended His invitation to me so that I could be part of the family of God, well, that is mind-blowing news. To think that I would keep that news a secret by not sharing this invitation with everyone I see on a daily basis? That is a mind-numbing thought. How selfish. How stupid. May I never be guilty of that attitude again.

We Are Family

Ephesians 2

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Speaking as a Gentile, I am so glad that God has chosen to allow us to be a part of His family! What a blessing to be called a child of God. It is an honor that should never be taken for granted. God wants us in His family. He wants everyone to be in His family, but just has He has chosen us, we must choose Him. Our obedience to the Gospel brings us into this family. By His grace we are saved through the Blood of Jesus. The only natural response to this grace is to live in a manner that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Not because such a lifestyle saves us, but because we are saved. I want to praise my Lord today for allowing His Holy Spirit to live inside of me. May my life be a constant source of praise for my Heavenly Father through His One and Only Son, Jesus!

God Has It Under Control

Ephesians 1

9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

God has it all under His control. I need to be reminded of that again today. It all works according to God’s plan. The daily challenges are meant to strengthen me, and help me to become that much more reliant on God. I will remember that and I will act accordingly!

You Are Not That Important

Galatians 6

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

A few keys to this passage: #1 if a Christian is living a pagan lifestyle, or is giving in to temptation heading towards sin, it is the DUTY of those of us who are Christians to gently and humbly bring them back to Christ. Not in a judgmental way, but in a loving way. #2 if a fellow believer comes to me to point out something I need to have corrected in my life, I have no reason to be offended or upset. They are simply doing their Christian duty. #3 we are to share each other’s burdens, that is an act of obedience and worship! #4 Nobody who claims to be a follower of Christ is too “important” to help someone else. I love how this passage ends: “You are not that important.”

Spirit Fruit

Galatians 5

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

I want the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in my life always. It isn’t always so, but that is my desire. Father, help me to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as laid out in these verses. May all who come into contact with me be drawn closer to You because of that contact, and because the Holy Spirit is evident in my life.

Get My Praise On Big Time!

Psalm 63

1 O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for you.

My soul thirsts for you;

my whole body longs for you

in this parched and weary land

where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in your sanctuary

and gazed upon your power and glory.

3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;

how I praise you!

4 I will praise you as long as I live,

lifting up my hands to you in prayer.

5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

I will praise you with songs of joy.

If David can write the words of praise to God while he was in the wilderness being chased by King Saul, then how could I praise the Lord any less just because the minor annoyances of my life are flaring up again? What an ingrate I would have to be! No, may my lips and my life be filled with praise for my Lord and Savior, my God and my King!

Relationship not Religion

Isaiah 29

13 And so the Lord says,

“These people say they are mine.

They honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

And their worship of me

is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

14 Because of this, I will once again astound these hypocrites

with amazing wonders.

The wisdom of the wise will pass away,

and the intelligence of the intelligent will disappear.”

Jesus quotes this passage when getting after the “religious leaders” of His day. God is not interested in a memorized by rote religion. He is interested in a real relationship with His people. Lord, may I seek that real relationship with You every day, and may I never be satisfied with memorizing rules thinking that this will be pleasing to You. Let my life be one of love for the people You love and sent Your Son Jesus to save.

Saving Belief

Galatians 3

22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

It is not by following a set of “religious rules” that we are saved from our sins, it is by the precious Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It is not by simply acknowledging that Jesus is God’s Son that we are saved, it is by believing in Him and living accordingly. As Romans 6:3-ff remind us, we come into contact with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection when we are baptized into Christ. Without a belief in Jesus to start with, we would just be getting wet. May my belief in Christ be seen in the way I live my life now that I have obeyed Jesus in baptism. May I lead others to a saving relationship with Jesus because of the way I lead my life!

Faith

Galatians 3

6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.

8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

I’ve been writing a lesson on faith this week for our student ministry. Faith is an action word. When Paul speaks of “putting your faith in Christ” here, he doesn’t mean that we simply acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, we must act on that acknowledgement. To follow Christ requires action...tough action...counter culture action...on our part. The real children of Abraham are those who follow God’s Word and obey it. We are those who proclaim Jesus to be Messiah and live accordingly!

They Won't Die If You Spank Them

Proverbs 23

13 Don’t fail to discipline your children.

They won’t die if you spank them.

14 Physical discipline

may well save them from death.

Don’t you just love the way the NLT puts these verses? I certainly do! As a parent who used corporal punishment in the discipline arsenal, I can attest that spanking my kids didn’t kill them! Now, spanking is just one of the options in the discipline arsenal, it is a last resort, and it is never done in the heat of the moment. Using this mindset, the Board of Education served its function for our three kids. In fact, our oldest has already asked if he may have the Board of Education for when he is a Daddy, himself!

There Is Only One Good News

Galatians 1

6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

So many people hear the Good News and then leave for a denominational church. It boggles my mind. How can anyone who has heard the Whole Gospel then settle for a partial gospel? I have dear friends who have done this. They leave because they like the music over here better, or because there is some non-essential that is being taught that better suits their tastes. I know that my saying these things won’t make some people including some friends very happy, but I am not trying to win the approval of people. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. May I please the Lord always by preaching and teaching the One True Gospel.

Salvation is Here

Isaiah 12

1 In that day you will sing:

“I will praise you, O Lord!

You were angry with me, but not any more.

Now you comfort me.

2 See, God has come to save me.

I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The Lord God is my strength and my song;

he has given me victory.”

Much of what we have read so far in Isaiah is quite frankly depressing. Judah and Israel have both gone far astray, and God’s wrath is pouring down upon them. God’s people have prostituted themselves with idol worship, and have rejected the One True God. Isaiah has been given the unenviable task of telling those stubborn people what awaits them at the Hand of God. However, even in the midst of “lowering the boom,” Isaiah finds time for praise because he knows that God’s Salvation is coming. Even when times look dark and foreboding, I will praise my Lord because Salvation is Here!

Praise God No Matter What

Psalm 56

1 O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

3 But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

4 I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

David wrote this psalm when the Philistines had seized him at Gath. In the midst of having been seized by his enemies, David praises God! What an awesome reminder following the sermon we heard from Ernie Miller at VCC today about the need for us to praise God in all circumstances. No matter what!

Don't think like everyone else

Isaiah 8

11 The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does.

On this September 11th, I am reminded that God has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. On this day, when America remembers the worst terrorist attack in this nation’s history, I also want to remember that the attack of the evil one is relentless. I do not want to lower my guard, even for one second. God is good, and He is doing great things (as witnessed by two more baptisms for VCC today). Even so, satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. May I never let up in my warning to other Christ followers to stay alert. May I never cease to give God praise, to call upon the Name of the Lord, and to be faithful to His call upon my life. May I never be found guilty of thinking like everyone else does, but instead, may my thoughts be the thoughts of God, and God alone!

Send Me

Isaiah 6

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

May this be the attitude of my heart always. Lord, send me where You want me to go to spread Your message to those You want to hear it. I am Yours, oh God, so do with me as You see fit.

Not Swayed By Foolishness of this Word

Isaiah 5

20 What sorrow for those who say

that evil is good and good is evil,

that dark is light and light is dark,

that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes

and think themselves so clever.

Psalm 53

1 Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

These passages mirror one another in sentiment this morning. So many foolish people out there who think they have it all figured out. They think themselves so clever, when in reality they are simply fools! May I never be swayed by them, and may I keep my eyes focused on Christ always. May I shine the light of Jesus in a community darkened by sin, and may people who are around me for any length of time see the love of Jesus working in and through my life.

No Matter What

Psalm 52

9 I will praise you forever, O God,

for what you have done.

I will trust in your good name

in the presence of your faithful people.

No matter what! Psalm 52 is filled with lots of stuff that isn’t exactly of the praise variety, but it ends with verse 9 doing just that: praising God. I will praise God no matter what. It doesn’t matter what circumstances I may find myself in. It doesn’t matter who the people I am with, what matters is that my life is lived out in such a manner as to give God praise always. There are plenty of good times, and not-so-good times in this life, but God is good. All the time. He is worthy of my praise both with my lips and with my life!

Cheerful Giving

2 Corinthians 9

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

It is my sincere desire to give God my all. Every day. I don’t always succeed, but that is my desire. I do so cheerfully, and out of a desire to enhance the Kingdom of God. It is my pleasure to do so. Father, please accept my daily gifts as a token of my sincere love for You and for Your Kingdom.

Captured My Heart

Song of Solomon 4

9 You have captured my heart,

my treasure, my bride.

You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,

with a single jewel of your necklace.

10 Your love delights me,

my treasure, my bride.

Your love is better than wine,

your perfume more fragrant than spices.

These words of Solomon are among those which describe my deepest feelings of love for my lovely Bride, Peggy. I am the most blessed man on the planet to be married to this fantastic woman of God. Please, dear God, help me to show her my love, not just to say words of love. It is my action that proves my undying love for Peggy. The fact that I don’t mind showering her with words of love, probably doesn’t make her too mad, either.

What's the Use of Being a Snake Charmer?

Ecclesiastes 10

11 If a snake bites before you charm it,

what’s the use of being a snake charmer?

This makes me lol. I mean, Solomon is going on and on about the ironies of life, and how everything is meaningless, and then there is this verse. Well, DUH! If a snake bites you before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer? I mean, what IS the use of being a snake charmer, anyway? Thank You, Lord for making me smile in a whimsical kind of way in the midst of what would otherwise be a pretty depressing chunk of Scripture from Ecclesiastes!

ONE Virtuous Woman

Ecclesiastes 7

27 “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 28 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! 29 But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”

Now, I know Solomon was the most wise dude ever, and all of that, but I must disagree with him on one point here. You see, I am married to a virtuous woman, so there is at least ONE. I am so blessed to be her husband. She keeps me on track in my relationship with God and with people. On this day, I want to praise my Lord for bring Peggy into my life!

Gifts from God

Ecclesiastes 5

18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

In the midst of all the meaningless stuff Solomon discusses, comes this jewel. It is something I am trying to put into practice, although I don’t always succeed by any means. However, I do have to confess that I am blessed beyond reason. I have a loving, devoted Bride; children who love and serve the Lord; and I absolutely LOVE what I do and where I do it by way of the ministry to which God has called me. Even without all of that, I have my salvation in Christ Jesus, so what more could I ask?

Rejecting God's Marvelous Gift

2 Corinthians 6

1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,

“At just the right time, I heard you.


On the day of salvation, I helped you.”

Indeed, the “right time” is now.

Today is the day of salvation.

Nothing breaks my heart quicker than to see someone who knows the Truth of the Gospel turn their backs on that Truth and head away from God in their lifestyle. Having been in student ministry for over 23 years now, I have, unfortunately, seen more than my fair share of such occurrences. Students, who were once “on fire” for the Lord, allowed that flame to burn out, being distracted by the thing of this world, and neglecting to spend time in God’s Word each day. It is easy to move away from God when you don’t spend any time with Him. How anyone could throw away the precious gift of their salvation for the temporary pleasures of this world still boggles my mind, but satan is crafty at distraction and destruction. I must be more vigilant in sounding the alarm against his schemes, and loving people to Jesus in such a manner that they would never dream of leaving their Lord and Savior.

I've Got Nothing

Job 40

1 Then the Lord said to Job,

2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?


You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

3 Then Job replied to the Lord,

4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?


I will cover my mouth with my hand.


5 I have said too much already.


I have nothing more to say.”

Yeah, arguing with God is a big waste of time, isn’t it? I mean, folks can think that Job has a case to want to fuss with God, what with the whole loss of children, health, wealth, friends, etc. thing going on. Yet, when Job approaches God with a “simple” request for an answer, he gets put in his place in a heartbeat. I love Job’s response here: “I’ve got nothing.” May I remember that when things don’t go the way I think they should, and I am tempted to question God about it...well, I’ve got nothing.