December 31

Revelation 12-18
In the 14th chapter, verses eleven and twelve, it reads: “There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.  This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.”  As I read this I had to ask myself, why does this call for patient endurance?  And then it struck me.  Those who keep God’s commands love everyone.  Therefore, the suffering of anyone would be painful to witness.  There is another verse in the Revelation that tells us God will wipe away all tears.  This indicates that there will be tears.  It is my conviction that our tears will be for those who going to suffer eternal torment in hell.  Even though we will know that it is God’s will, it will still hurt us to see them in torment.  It will take the Lord’s special powers to help us overcome this grief.  Of course, you are free to disagree with my interpretation, as this is not a salvation issue, and therefore, open to interpretation.

December 30

Revelation 6-11
I do not pretend to even come close to being able to interpret any prophecy, much less John’s Revelation.  However, there is one section that needs no interpretation: They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”  When God decides to execute His judgment there will be no hiding place, no defense.  Conversely, for those who are saved, there is no thing or one who will be able to change that.  The saved will be just that, saved!  Whereas, the condemned will only be looking at the wrath of God, and nothing can alter that fact.

December 29

Revelation 1-5
Perhaps the most controversial book in the Bible, Revelation holds truths that are to be ingrained and honored.  It is filled with prophetic language that is difficult to interpret, and I will not even begin to pretend that I fully understand all that is written.  Having said that, I do understand the first three chapters quite well.  Jesus addresses the seven churches of Asia.  He has problems with six of them.  Yet, He calls all seven of them His church.  I dare say that many Christians would have trouble offering their hand in fellowship to some of these churches.  And, in their refusal to fellowship, they would be going against the will of God.  Jesus clearly states, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.”  If He loves them, dare we do any less?  True, He calls them to repentance, but He still loves them and calls them His own.  The divisions we have in Christendom are to our shame.  As the church of God, we need to repent, and promote unity in the love of Christ.

December 28

2 John 1
3 John 1
There are many who are always pointing to one sign or another that the antichrist is coming.  However, John writes, “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”  Thus, the antichrist is not one person, but many.  Furthermore, the antichrist has been around for nearly two thousand years, and will continue to be around until the coming of our Lord and the end of this age.  I guess it makes for good drama to point to one person, and varying signs and wonders pointing to that one person.  But, truth is not about drama.  Rather, truth is found in Jesus Christ and His teachings.

December 27

1 John 1-5
There are so many interesting points made in this letter that it would take a small book to cover them all.  However, there are two that I am led to address.  Both have to do with our eternal security.  At the beginning we read that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  In the original language, the tense for confess is past, whereas the tense for cleanse is a flowing tense.  In other words, when we confessed that we are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness, He began cleansing us, and continues to do so, much like a flowing river, it never stops.  The other aspect of our eternal security is found near the end of the letter when the author tells us that he has written these things so that we might know that we have eternal life.  Our confidence is not in ourselves, it is in the Lord.  It is in His righteousness that we are able to stand, and can confidently acknowledge that we have eternal life!

December 26

2 Peter 1-3
Jude
These two letters so closely parallel one another, one might be lead to believe they were both written by the same person. At the very least, one author had read the other's letter before writing his. All of which is immaterial, given that both are included in the canon containing the inspired word of God. What is important is our growth in understanding the Bible. 2 Peter ends with this injunction: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." Unfortunately, many Christians seldom read scripture, and are, therefore, ignorant of much of the truth revealed. They depend wholly on others, receiving interpretation that is open to error. Thus, some are misled and project a false impression of our Lord. We need to be actively engaged in the reading, study, and meditation over the Word. May it never be said that any of us are at the same place we were when we received the salvation of our souls!

December 25

2 Timothy 1-4
Paul encourages Timothy to "fan into flame" the gift God has given him. This is good advice for every Christian. Each of us are given specific gifts that are to be used in the kingdom of our Lord. In order to effectively fan our gift into flame, we must first identify what that gift is. Our shepherds can be very useful in accomplishing this task. Very often one is working at developing a gift they have not been given. Therefore, they are not nearly as effective in serving the cause. If we are in touch with the true gift we have been given, development will go much smoother and our effectiveness will be much greater. For example, we may love to sing, and sing we must! However, if we are not gifted with a good voice, our effectiveness in serving others with our song will not be very good. Therefore, we can, and should, continue to sing and make melody in our heart, while developing our true talent so as to be an encouragement to others.

December 24

Hebrews 11-13
I have enjoyed reading through the Bible this year, the stories of great men and women who have spoken to us through the ages because of their faith in the Lord.  All of these demonstrated their faith in various ways, many sacrificing their very lives, in order to draw close to a God they could not see, yet knew existed.  Today’s reading begins with, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  All too often some refuse to believe because they cannot see, touch, taste, or handle.  Skeptics are everywhere.  Even when the evidence is overwhelming, these refuse to believe.  They come up with alternative explanations.  However, before we become too offended, we should remember that many of these same skeptics doubt that we ever put a man on the moon, that JFK or Elvis are really dead, that the Holocaust actually happened, ad infinitum.  This lack of faith can even be found in the church.  There are Christians who doubt the veracity of the biblical narrative, aspects of church history, even their own faith!  But, there is One who remains faithful, even when we aren’t.  We may not be able to see Him, but He sees us and loves us and longs to spend eternity with us!

December 23

Hebrews 7-10
The Hebrew writer makes a case for the superiority of the new covenant over the old.  Then, in chapter ten, in response to the gift of the new covenant, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Many Christians believe that the primary purpose for our public gatherings is to worship God.  The way I read this passage is that the main reason for our coming together is to encourage one another, spurring each other on toward love and good deeds.  As to our worship of God, that should be a continual process, seven days a week.  We do this best when we are engaged in loving each other and performing those works that speak to the faith we share.

December 22

Hebrews 1-6
I don’t know how many times I have heard someone say, “We need more lessons like that, on the basics!”  A number of years ago, an older preacher levied the accusation against me that I never preached baptism.  In my defense, I told him that I had a whole series of lessons on baptism, but that I felt no need to preach baptism to a room full of baptized believers!  The writer of Hebrews supports this position in the first two verses of chapter six: “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”  As Christians, we should be seeking the deep truths about our Lord, striving to draw closer through learning and adding the characteristics of Christ to our own character.  If we spend all our time on the basics, we will never get around to the work God has in mind for us to do.  We will be like the one talent man who hid his talent, and gave no increase when his master returned.  I, for one, do not want to share that man’s fate!

December 21

1 Peter 1-5
I make and sell pens.  One of the most common excuses I hear for not buying one is that they lose pens all the time.  My response to that is that if you have spent this kind of money on a pen, you are more likely to take care of it, and less likely to lose it.  The same can be said of our salvation.  It was bought at such a price that we are more likely to take care of it.  However, make no mistake, whether you are talking about something as inconsequential as my pens or eternal salvation, if we are careless, either can be lost.  With this in mind, we are reminded in our reading to, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  Satan is always looking for a way to rob us of the precious salvation the Lord purchased with His own blood.  This salvation is not fragile.  It is not easily lost.  But, it comes with a certain amount of responsibility.  This entire letter speaks to that responsibility.  We would do well to read and follow the instructions contained therein.

December 20

Titus 1-3
Paul tells us that to the pure all things are pure.  Some have misinterpreted this to mean that we are to just stick our head in the sand and not see anything that is impure.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We are to be alert, recognizing that which is evil, so as to avoid that which would lead us astray.  Having said that, there is another aspect of purity that one should seek.  In our relationships we should be looking for the good in others, without digging for whatever fault they might possess.  For, we all have our weaknesses.  The adage, if you can’t find something good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all, applies here.  However, if there is someone attempting to disrupt the harmony of the family through deceit, we must be ready to protect that which has been entrusted to our care.  This is the charge Paul is giving Titus, and through extension, to us.

December 19

1 Timothy 1-6
As Paul instructs his protégée, he makes an assumption that isn’t always true.  He tells Timothy to teach others to treat the older people as they would their father and mother.  The assumption is that people treat their parents well.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Many are very disrespectful to their parents.  Instead of honoring and respecting them, some treat their parents as if they were a nuisance to them.  I have seen many adult children treat their parents very shamefully.  It’s as though God’s commands to honor and obey them is only a joke.  For this reason, my wife and I have always had a special ministry to the aged.  We find that many of them are neglected, lonely, and hurt.  The most common causes for these feelings are children who ignore them, reject them, and say horrible things to them when they do take the time to speak to them.  Even more tragic is that many of these families, if you can call them that, are in the church, professing to be faithful Christians!  So, if you feel the need to offer yourselves in a much needed ministry, try looking in on the elderly.  It is extremely rewarding, not to mention, educational!

December 18

Philippians 1-4
Paul was an evangelist in every sense of the word.  He wanted to see the great commission fulfilled.  With this goal in mind, he writes, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”  Recently I listened to a politician quote scripture in a speech he was giving.  Even though I doubted his sincerity, I rejoiced that he was quoting from God’s word.  It can be frustrating when you see someone using the cause of Christ for their own personal gain, especially when you know that they don’t really believe what they are saying.  However, if Christ is taught, and others are inspired through that teaching, a good thing has been done.  God is able to use anyone and any circumstance to His glory, whether we are able to see it or not, whether or not we agree with the method.  In all things, and in every way, God is still in control!

December 17

Ephesians 1-6
What a wonderful letter, written to promote unity!  From beginning to end, Paul is making it clear that unity is of the utmost importance to God.  He gives practical instruction on how this can be accomplished, both in our regular families and in the family of believers.  There is instruction on how we can overcome the evil that is always present, ready to destroy our happiness and unity.  In chapter four, verses 31 & 32, he writes: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  If this simple instruction were to be followed, families would be closer, and the church would not be so divided.  Key to this is forgiveness.  We are all fallible humans, making one mistake after another.  If God did not choose to forgive us, we would be eternally lost.  However, when it comes to our forgiving each other, it is often quite a different story.  We hold on to bitterness and malice, even when we speak words of forgiveness.  The old adage, “actions speak louder than words” applies.  Our words of forgiveness are hollow without our acts of kindness and compassion.  Jesus not only spoke words of forgiveness, He backs those words up with continued blessings.

December 16

Colossians 1-4, Philemon
The apostle Paul sets the example for any who desire to serve the Lord and His church.  He’s in prison, using the circumstance as an opportunity to promote the gospel, and then takes the time to minister to those whom he has served in the past.  This is putting the greatest commandments into practice.  Loving the Lord by fulfilling His commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and then loving one another.  What better way to demonstrate our love than to be interested in their spiritual walk?  Seizing opportunities to share what we have learned in the Word, and encouraging others as we see growth in their lives, are practical demonstrations of our love that distinguishes our sincerity as something tangible and real.

December 15

Acts 27-28
I can just picture the raging seas as the ship carrying Paul crashes near the shores of Malta.  For weeks, being buffeted by the winds and waves, taking drastic measures to stay afloat, going without food, and finally having to swim or float on debris to gain land and life!  This is not an adventure one would like to repeat.  Yet, God saw them through and used the situation to support Paul’s witness.  It is our steadfast faith, seen as we patiently endure the storms of life, that demonstrates the reality of our Savior more wondrously than any sermon ever preached from any pulpit.  In the aftermath of a recent school shooting, I read the hopeless remarks of a non-believer who was mocking God for His allowing such a tragedy to take place.  I couldn’t help but think of how terrible it would be to face such horror without faith.  To live through such an unimaginable event, only to have nowhere to turn for solace, no hope for the slain or self!  Despair is the only thing one has to hold on to if they don’t know the Lord.  However, when they can witness the hope, exhibited by the believer in such circumstances, it just might open their eyes to the One who is able to save both the body and the soul!

December 14

Acts 24-26
As the apostle Paul is moved from one place to the next, speaking to one authority after another, being in chains, he views each circumstance as another opportunity to promote the gospel. On this journey, he appeals to Caesar so as to reach the highest echelons with the good news. Roman law would have freed him from the false charges brought against him by those wishing to hinder the spread of the gospel message. Yet, he is willing to subject himself to prison for the sake of that message. His dedication and focus should be an inspiration to all who love the Lord and are grateful for His gift of grace.

December 13

Acts 20-23
As Paul makes his way toward Jerusalem, he is warned numerous times of the danger awaiting his arrival.  However, he was intent on going.  At one point, he is convinced to perform certain rites to appease the Jews.  Yet, even this was not enough.  They simply refused to believe his message, and they wanted to silence him.  Of course, we know that this was all part of God’s plan to get Paul to Rome, so that he would be able to proclaim the good news even more.  But, I believe there is a message here for those of us who are seeking to promote the truth.  In his desire for peace, Paul compromised with his detractors to no avail.  While peace should always be a goal, compromise is not always a good vehicle to get there.  Truth is powerful, and it doesn’t really need our help.  Truth can stand on its own.  There will always be those who will reject the truth, but that doesn’t negate our obligation to stand firm in the truth.  Don’t misunderstand me.  I’m not saying that Paul was compromising the truth.  What I am saying is that there will always be those who are intent on discord, and no amount of compromise will ever stop them.  Thus, whether we suffer persecution or not, we must continue to stand, as Paul did, for the truth.

December 12

Romans 14-16
During my Christian journey, I have focused on two primary objectives: reaching the lost, and promoting unity.  Justification for this concept can be found throughout scripture, but nowhere more succinct than in these chapters.  In defining his own objectives, Paul writes, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.”  He understood that his time on earth was limited, and he would not be able to reach all the lost in his lifetime.  He also rebukes the church for their divisions: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”  Instead of standing in judgment on Christians who don’t practice their faith in the same manner as we, Paul’s injunction is to “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”  Think about this statement.  We were steeped in sin when the Lord accepted us.  Yet, our divisions exist because some will not accept others over matters of opinion, or interpretation of scripture.  If the Lord waited for us to share His opinions or interpretation of scriptures, salvation would be very elusive.  Throughout my entire Christian walk, I have been attempting to share the Lord’s opinions and interpretations.  Even though I am closer to that goal than at the beginning, I know that this task will not be completed until I see Him face to face.

December 11

Romans 11-13
Paul calls us to be transformed, and then he goes on to tell us how.  Each of us are given spiritual gifts that are to be used to the glory of God, and the building up of the church.  We should all seek out wise counsel on helping us to identify our strengths and weaknesses.  Once our talents are discovered, we should take whatever steps are beneficial in developing the gift to its maximum potential.  It’s sad to witness someone attempting to do something in which they are not gifted.  That same person could be using that for which they are gifted, and be so much more of a blessing to themselves and the church.  When I was a young Christian, I thought that I must sing bass at church, because that it what men sing.  Fortunately, a wise brother pulled me aside and suggested I sing tenor.  The end result was an improvement for all.  This is a weak example, but the concept is the same for any gift or talent.

December 10

Romans 8-10
This reading is so rich with valuable instruction that builds our faith!  I could write a book on what is said in chapter eight alone.  So, I chose one passage to comment on: “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”  Have you ever prayed not knowing what to say or how to say it?  There have been many times that I have approached God’s throne, only to find myself speechless.  And, even when I do know what I want to pray about, I often don’t know how to put it into words.  It is such a comfort to know that God’s Spirit is able to relay my intent through “wordless groans.”

December 9

Romans 4-7
In this reading we see every Christian’s struggle.  When we accept the gift of grace given by our loving Savior, we are filled with gratitude and long to please our Heavenly Father.  Even though my intellectual being knows that I cannot be perfect, my heart desires perfection, so I strive to be as righteous as I am able.  Unfortunately, failure meets me on a constant basis.  I am weak and often succumb to temptation.  Of course, repentance quickly follows the transgression, but it still bothers me that I am not able to completely overcome.  Thus, I find myself echoing Paul’s words, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”  Driven to my knees, I pray to the Lord for mercy.  Reminded of His faithfulness, I am lifted up with praises to the One who willingly gave Himself for me, so that I might be found in His righteousness, and not my own.  Thank you, Jesus!

December 8

Romans 1-3
Romans 3:23 is that famous verse that is often quoted: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  However, in chapter one, verse twenty, Paul gives us this sobering thought: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”  Very often people will use God’s grace as a vehicle to justify their sinful way of life.  They do this to their own destruction, because God does not justify willful wrongdoing.  While it is true that none are righteous, save Jesus, we are expected to repent of our sins and to live righteous lives to the best of our ability.  If we choose to ignore His injunctions, we will be without excuse in the day of judgment.

December 7

2 Corinthians 10-13
It is difficult to rebuke those we love.  There is the fear that we will damage the relationship beyond repair.  However, where one's eternal salvation is involved, the risks outweigh the benefits.  Such was the case as the apostle Paul writes the Corinthian church.  They had serious difficulties!  Salvation for some was at stake.  So, he uses harsh language in order to reach them.  That this is done in a spirit of love was absolutely essential.  That he has the authority to do so is implicit, in that he is an apostle.  Yet, one does not need to be in a position of authority in order to rebuke another.  We simply must need to care enough about their souls.  Love should compel us to help our brother or sister to be restored in their relationship with the Lord, if that relationship has been damaged by sin.

December 6

1 Corinthians 5-9
Paul was constantly promoting grace.  I believe this was because he was so grateful for the grace shown him after he had so vigorously persecuted the church.  However, he offers this response to God’s grace: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”  Much of what he writes following these words has to do with the Corinthian brethren giving a financial gift to help those in other places who are in need.  One of my early mentors would say that the contributions of a church are often a good barometer of their spiritual health.  As children of God, we are blessed beyond knowing in everything!  Sharing our wealth is but a small expression of our gratitude.  Unfortunately, for many, it is a very small expression.  What does Christ’s love compel you to do?

December 5

2 Corinthians 1-4
Paul is dealing with grace in this second letter to the church at Corinth. He states that the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. This is in reference to law and commandments. Having spent my life in a church that has a legalistic history, I can really relate to these words. It has my very sad experience to witness the demise of several congregations due to legalism. On a more positive note, it has been my pleasure to be associated with several congregations that have moved away from the legal foundations, embracing the spirit of what has been written, and discovering the life God desires for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.

December 4

1 Corinthians 15-16
As Paul brings this letter to a close, he reminds the Corinthians of the gospel and the importance of the resurrection.  Without the resurrection, there is no gospel.  If Jesus were not raised, He would not be the Messiah.  If we were not raised in a new spiritual body, our resurrection would be meaningless.  The gospel is a simple message.  It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Nothing more, nothing less.  We share in that gospel by faithfully submitting to the watery grave of baptism, so as to be buried with Christ and raised with our sins washed away, so that we might live a new life in the Spirit!  This is the message we need to bring to the world.   This is the message that provides hope in the darkness many find themselves.  This is the message of love, God’s love, that saves for eternity!

December 3

1 Corinthians 12-14
In broaching the subject of spiritual gifts, Paul explains that whatever gift one uses it should be done for the benefit of the church.  However, he offers the most excellent of all with what is commonly called the love chapter.  In this, he says that the three remaining gifts are faith, hope, and love, with the greatest being love.  At any discussion of spiritual gifts I always come back to this.  For I know that I have not fully developed these three gifts.  It is only when I have mastered these that I would give serious consideration to the lesser gifts, such as, healing, prophesying, and speaking in tongues.  Those who have had the greatest positive impact on the church are those who are excelling in faith, hope, and love.  I have yet to find anyone outside of the Bible who has benefitted the church in any meaningful manner with the other spiritual gifts.

December 2

1 Corinthians 9-11
The apostle is giving instructions to a church that has lots of problems.  One can almost feel the tension that exists.  It would seem that there are those who are selfishly concerned about their own lives, placing themselves above one another, and causing dissension in the process.  Division is the word of the day.  Indeed, when we have a lack of concern for others there will be division.  Unity is only accomplished when we are willing to put our own desires behind us so as to demonstrate love and concern for others.

December 1

1 Corinthians 5-8
I sometimes think that God did too good a job in giving us a sex drive so that we might procreate.  It seems that this drive gets us into a lot of trouble.  Paul devotes a lot of words to this subject: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins people commit are outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies.”  I have seen people sacrifice everything in order to fulfill a sexual desire.  It’s sad when families are broken and relationships destroyed because of sexual immorality.  The apostle makes a distinction between this sin and all others.  I wonder how many Christians consider that when they are engaged in practicing sexual immorality that the Lord is right there!  Our bodies are His temple, His dwelling place!  How do you suppose it makes Him feel when His temple is invaded in such a manner?