Daily Inspirations

  Good morning. Today we start the book of first John. You will find that there are many words and phrases that are in both the epistles of John and the Gospel of John. What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. It starts very much like the gospel of John; only now it is looking backward at it, whereas the gospel was looking at it in the present. John says that they actually touched Jesus; in other words, the Son of God was flesh and blood. This refutes the heresy of Gnosticism from the start. They said that the spirit was entirely good and matter was entirely evil. Some said that Christ only seemed to have a fleshly body, and others that the divine Christ joined the man Jesus at baptism and left Him before He died. Father thank You that Jesus came to earth in a real, fleshly body, and that He died on the cross for us.

  Good morning. Now the verse that seems to substantiate the idea that Peter was talking about the day of the Lord/God being after the millennium: but according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation (if He had come already, there would be those who would not be saved today); just as also our beloved  brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, speaking in his letters some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures (some say that this means that Peter put Paul’s writings on the same level with the rest of the Scriptures - Old Testament), to their own destruction. This is the end of second Peter. Father help us to follow Your Word and not the words of unprincipled people who speak th...

  Good morning. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for (look up, your redemption is drawing nigh) and hastening the coming of the Day of God because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! This is almost an identical description that we just had for the day of the Lord; so it would seem to imply that they are the same day, not two separate days. The verse that follows seems to substantiate the idea that he was talking about the day being at the end of the millennium. If all these horrific things are going to happen to the unbelievers, surely we want to live our lives the way God tells us to. How can we hasten the coming of the day of God? We can by living our lives in a holy manner and sharing the gospel with those around us. Father thank You that we need not fear the coming of Your day, but rather joyfully anticipate it.

  Good morning. Continuing with the idea that the Lord is not slow about His promise… but the day of the Lord will come like a thief (remember that Jesus even mentioned coming like a thief), in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. There are many references in both the Old and New Testaments about the day of the Lord. Exactly what are they talking about? Are they talking about a “single moment in time“, or are they referring to a period of time which could last even 1000 years? (Remember to the Lord a thousand years is as one day.) This sounds like what happens after the millennium when the old heavens and earth pass away and the new ones come; but it also sounds like how someone 2000 years ago would describe an atomic explosion. We will continue this next time. Father help us to always be on the alert so that no matter when the day of the Lord comes, we will be ready.

  Good morning. Continuing with the thought of mockers saying everything has remained the same since the time of the fathers: but do not let this one fact escape your notice, that with the Lord one day is like 1000 years, and 1000 years like one day. (A similar statement is made in Psalm 90:4) Time is meaningless to God since He has always existed and always will. As we get older, time seems to “fly by“. To us a month may seem like no time at all; while to a young child, one month till his or her birthday is an eternity. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. It may seem like it takes forever and the end still hasn’t come, but just be thankful that it did not come the day before you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. As Einstein would say, “time is relative“. Father thank You that it is not up to us but to You as to when the end will come

  Good morning.… All continues just as it was from the beginning of creation. When they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago (in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth) and the earth was formed out of water (and God said “let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear“) and by water (of the flood), through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. All the wicked people of the earth, along with the things of the earth and the animals were destroyed by the flood; and only Noah’s family was saved. The cataclysmic end of all things will next time be by fire from God. Father thank You that You have told us of the judgment to come. Help us to live our lives according to Your Word.

  Merry Christmas! I pray you have a really great one with friends and family. The following is without comment. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee call Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at the statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "how can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and...

  Good morning. For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. In other words, I didn’t read it in a book of fairytales. I was there; I saw it with my own eyes. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father (on the mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about His soon “exodus“), such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased“ – and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Remember that Peter really didn’t know what to think about the situation on the mountain and wanted to build three Tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Father even though we have not experienced anything like this, we still believe in You and in Your Son.

Good morning. … Make certain about His calling and choosing you… therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. (“I just want to make sure”) I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling (our bodies), stirring you up by way of reminder (“I am not taking any chances”), knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling (Paul called it our earthly tent) is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. Peter is sounding just like Paul in one of his letters near the end of his life. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure (exodus) you will be able to call these things to mind. Father help us to not be slack in reminding those around us of the things You have taught us in Your word.

  Good morning. For he who lacks these qualities… Do you lack them because you strayed, or because you were never saved in the first place? Therefore, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing (2) you (Paul talks about God choosing us before the beginning of time and then calling us at just the right moment); for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. If you are a Christian, it should be your desire to not stumble. For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior (2) Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Father thank You that we can be certain that You chose us and called us, abundantly supplying everything we need to enter Your kingdom.

  Good morning. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence - knowledge – self-control – perseverance – godliness – brotherly kindness – love . (all of these qualities are admirable, and a lot of people possess them without being Christians). For if these qualities are yours and are increasing (2) (you cannot sit on your laurels, if you are a Christian), they render you neither useless nor unfruitful (2) in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (they are not just a nice thing to have). For he who lacks these qualities is blind or shortsighted (2) (Peter did not say that they were not saved), having forgotten his purification from his former sins. When Christians first get saved, a lot of times they will completely change their lives, but over time their former activities creep back into their behavior. We have been purified from them; we should not return. Father help all of these qualities to be ours in abundance and to ever i...

  Good morning. … Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2), through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2). There is nothing missing, He left nothing out that we would need. There are people who know a lot about Jesus, but do not know Him personally. For by these (glory and excellence) He has granted to us His precious and magnificent (2) promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. If He promised us something, you can be assured that we will obtain them. The end result – that we become partakers of His divine nature. That is so awesome! Father thank You that we can trust that You have given us everything that we need to obtain life and godliness - to partake of Your divine nature.

  Good morning. Today we start second Peter. The first chapter is almost poetical. Over and over again, things come in pairs. The first example: Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle (2) of Jesus Christ. To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours (there are not different faiths for different people; there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism), by the righteousness of our God and Savior (2), Jesus Christ. Grace and peace (2) be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2) (this knowledge is not just knowing about someone like some dead person in a book; it is a personal knowledge like of a friend or a relative of yours): seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything (there is nothing lacking) pertaining to life and godliness (2), through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2). We will continue this thought next time. Father thank You that You gave us all we would ever need to live the Christian ...

  Good morning. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. There was a time when some people put down the gravity of this verse. They said that the devil was “like” a roaring lion, but toothless. However, toothless lions would not be seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. In the natural, we would run and try to hide from a roaring lion. If we could, we would try to reason with the lion, saying we will do anything that he wanted us to, just don’t eat us. Too many Christians respond to the devil in just the same way. After you have suffered for a little while (it doesn’t seem like a little while when you are going through it), the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. And so we come to ...

  Good morning. OK so God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble – how is that to happen? Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Believe me you don’t want God doing the humbling. That mighty hand will squash you like a bug. Part of the humbling ourselves is casting all our anxieties on Him. We don’t get anxious about how we are going to get out of the predicament we are in; we trust Him to do it. That can be very humbling because we like to do it ourselves. We also get very antsy when it looks like time is running out on us. God is never late – He is an on time God! Father help us to trust You to take care of everything at the proper time.

Good morning. So what is the result of the elders properly shepherding the flock? And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading (same word as in chapter 1 talking about our inheritance that will not fade away) crown (in that day it was actually a wreath like in the games) of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders (Church position, not just older people); and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Now the phrase “be subject to“ does not mean that you are a doormat and do everything that the elders tell you. They don’t run your personal lives like the “apostles” I talked about last time. Remember that also we are to be subject to one another, and wives to their husbands. However, the elders are responsible for the smooth operation of the church according to God‘s direction. Father continue to make Your Church a shining example to the world.

  Good morning. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God (which we talked about the last few times) shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you (remember Jesus’ admonition to Peter to shepherd His sheep) exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, proving to be examples to the flock. As I have said before, there are groups of so-called apostles that have a hierarchy of oversight, kind of like a pyramid scheme. An apostle has several apostles under him/her, each of which is over several churches. Authority goes downward, and money comes upward. Those that do not “obey“ are dealt with severely. F...

  Good morning. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. This is going to happen more and more to Christians in the last days. Make sure that none of you suffers as…; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Sadly, Christians do feel ashamed when reviled for being followers of Jesus. They yield to the pressure of people around them. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? The judgment he is talking about is not the sufferings he previously mentioned because they were followers of Christ. We have to get and keep our house in order. God cannot judge the world, if He lets us skate. Peter does not say what this judgment will be. Father help us to get our lives in order so that we will have nothing to fear from Your judgment.

  Good morning. And how should we employ these special gifts? Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. We are to employ these gifts as if we were doing them for God Himself. We would not be doing them half heartedly, if we were doing them for Him. Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing (not because you did something wrong), as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ (we’ve talked about these sufferings a few verses ago), keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. He never promised us a rose garden (though roses do have thorns). Father help us to do all to Your glory.

  Good morning. The end of all things is near; therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Was Peter mistaken when he said the end of all things is near? Are Christians today mistaken when they say that Jesus could return at any moment? Even “if” they and Peter were wrong, we should live our lives like the second part of the verse: being of sound judgment and sober spirit. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Sometimes Christians hold grudges, especially towards family members, instead of truly loving and forgiving them. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Paul talks about this a lot in Corinthians. God doesn’t distribute His gifts of grace to believers to only employ for those that they like. If we truly love one another as Jesus commanded, we will be instantly ready to employ those gifts for the benefit of ot...

Good morning. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. There is disagreement as to what this actually means. It sounds like it was preached to them after they were dead; but it could mean that it was preached to them before they died, and that they are now dead. Those who lived before Jesus did not have the “gospel“ preached to them. They were judged on how they lived their lives. That seems to give credence to the belief that a previous verse (... Spirit, in which He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison) indicates that after Jesus died, He went to them wherever they were and spoke the gospel to them. It does not mean that they or anyone else today gets a second chance to receive Jesus as Lord of their lives. It could mean that good people, like Abraham, got to hear the gospel message which they missed out on during their liv...

  Good morning. Live the rest of the time in the flesh … for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality… The old life is over, dude. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you. It’s bad enough that they want to do things disagreeable to God; they want you to join with them. In fact, they get upset if you don’t. They understand and accept it if you don’t do something because you have some sort of illness; but they really don’t like it when you don’t do something because you believe it is wrong to do it. They think you are condemning them because they do whatever it is. But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Father help us to not yield to the persuasion and pressure of those around us who are doing things we know are wrong; but instead, live our lives accordin...

  Good morning. … Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. And referring to a previous verse that Christ also died for sins once for all - Therefore, since Christ has suffered (death, not just pain) in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered (death) in the flesh has ceased from sin (Dead men can’t sin). With the result – so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of man, but for the will of God. Father help us to live our lives as if the desires of the flesh no longer attract us.

  Good morning. Noah – flood – eight people brought safely through the water: corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most importantly, this does not mean that baptism is a requirement in order to go to heaven. That requirement is fulfilled when we ask Jesus to come into our lives and make Him Lord. There is a denomination that believes that it is a requirement based on chapter 16 of Mark: he who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Notice that it did not say he who has believed but not been baptized shall be condemned. This verse does not say that it is a requirement to go to heaven; but it seems to say that baptism is more than the usual – an outward sign of an inward change. It says that it is an appeal to God for a good conscience. Perhaps it is the idea of a “clean“ conscience - “my ol...

  Good morning. Made alive in the spirit… in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now (not actually in the text) in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. There is disagreement as to what this actually means. It does not necessarily mean that they were given a second chance to believe; and hence, those that die today without having a relationship with Jesus will also be given a second chance. The next part is lengthy, so we will save it till next time. Father prepare us for what is to come, giving us the strength and wisdom to reign victoriously.

  Good morning. Keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered (previously: not returning insult for insult), those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. When they accuse you of doing wrong things just because you are a Christian and you keep up your good behavior, they will eventually be proven wrong. For it is better, if God should will it so (my Bible does not say whether this “if“ has the same unlikelihood of happening as the previous one), that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (re-iterating what has been said before). For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust (He suffered for doing what was right), so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit (or possibly Spirit). Father continue to go with the reader and bring blessings upon him/her and his/her family.

  Good morning. But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. “And do not fear their intimidation and do not be troubled”. In Greek, the word “if“ has different degrees of significance unlike in English. My Bible says that in the Greek, this conditional clause (if you should suffer…) is the furthest removed from stating a reality. Suffering for righteousness is a remote possibility, but even if it does occur, it brings special blessing to the sufferer. All Christians wrestle with the question, “should I share the gospel with this person or not?“ The following verse tells us how we should do it: sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. Some Christians try to cram the Bible down the throats of unbelievers. This says that we first must set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. This ensures that we do it with the r...

  Good morning. To sum up (keeping your behavior excellent; submitting yourselves; honoring all people; bearing up under sorrows when suffering unjustly), all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for this very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. All that sounds great, but is impossible to do on your own. Notice that we are to give a blessing that we might inherit a blessing. You receive what you give. Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? You would think that should be obviously true; but today it seems like the more good you desire to do, the more likely you will be attacked for doing it. Father help us to do all that Peter admonishes us to do no matter what the attitude of those around us

  Good morning. Just because people are born again does not mean that their  beliefs and actions are not influenced by their former way of life. It took centuries for some of these attitudes to change - as in the following… Peter continues by telling the wives that their adornment must not just be outward, but inward also - by letting it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. More eyes/ears covering: He then mentions Sarah, obeying Abraham. She did this to the extreme by letting him call her his sister so that he would not be killed because of her. That does not mean that God approved of what Abraham did. The Scriptures merely relate what happened. He then tells husbands to honor their wives as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that their prayers will not be hindered. It took a very long time for some of the biases to be corrected by the Holy Spirit. Father help us to listen to ...

  Good morning. Why did we need for Jesus to bear our sins on the cross? For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. This verse reminds us of what Jesus said about Him being the good shepherd and not a hireling.  Without Jesus we were continually straying like sheep. Cover your eyes and ears: in the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. My Bible says that the word translated submissive is the same word as being submissive to authorities and slaves submissive to their masters. My Bible continues with “inferiority is not implied by this passage; the submission is one of role or function necessary for the orderly operation of the home”; like it also was for all to authority and slaves to masters. Father help us to quit st...

  Good morning. Speaking of patiently enduring suffering…Christ, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. All of that was totally opposite of the normal reaction of human beings. When we are attacked, especially wrongfully, we react very strongly. Then the ultimate suffering for us: and He Himself bore our sins in His body (One does not think about one’s sins being in his or her body) on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds (or stripes) you were healed (cured). (I owed a debt I could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe) He took all of our sins upon Himself, suffering in our place. Some say the healing was merely spiritual; while others say it included physical healing. One does not normally talk about being “healed” spiritually. Before the cross, sin was merely “...

  Good morning. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience towards God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. In other words, if you are submissive to the authorities/(your master) and you suffer unjustly because of that submission, then this finds favor with God. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. If you sin and suffer for it, you get your “just desserts“. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. Next time we will see how Christ suffered unjustly. Father help us to patiently endure any suffering that unjustly comes upon us for keeping Your word.

  Good morning. Act as free men (we are not under bondage to the law or anything else), and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil (there is no such thing as “greasy grace“; you cannot use that freedom to do just anything that you want), but use it as bondslaves of God. We are free to do what we want, but we choose to do what God wants. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Peter then talks about servants being submissive to their masters; not just to the good but also to the unreasonable. The Bible has talked about this previously. Father thank You that we are free to do Your will.

  Good morning.  Part of keeping your behavior excellent among the Gentiles is … Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of those who do right. Peter did not say to submit yourselves to the human institutions that you agree with. My Bible says that when Peter wrote this, the emperor was the godless, brutal Nero - though obedience to the emperor must never be in violation of the law of God. Why should we do this? For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. They will say that your resistance to the authorities is proof that Christianity is evil. This does not mean that we do not work within the system to remove those leaders (or systems of government) that are godless and to replace them with leaders (or a different system) that are committed to God. Father help us to have the right a...

  Good morning. I urge you as aliens and strangers (this world is not my home; I’m just - a - passing through.) to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. As the end gets closer and closer, people will treat us more and more like those who are aliens in their home country. Our soul continually fights against yielding to these fleshly lusts. Because we are aliens and strangers in this world, we should: keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evil doers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. Remember that the world will “call the things that are evil, good; and the things that are good, evil.“ They are going to say bad things about us; so we should not give them any justification for their remarks. Father keep our behavior excellent so that the people of the world may glorify You.

  Good morning. Jesus, our corner stone, was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense: for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were appointed. Admittedly, this could be interpreted as they were pre-destined, without any voice in the matter, to this doom. But it also could be interpreted as those who are disobedient to the word, to this doom will be predestined. In other words, the people are not predestined, but the ones who perform the actions are. Instead of us having this gloomy future – you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Father thank You that You chose us to proclaim Your excellencies!

  Good morning. Coming to Him as to a living (Corner) stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In a sense, the law was a “dead“ stone; but Jesus is a living One. We are part of a living house, and therefore are living stones. Under the law, the priests offered up sacrifices of animals; but we offer up spiritual sacrifices (of praise – Hebrews). Peter then quotes the verse about Jesus being a precious corner stone. My Bible says that the corner stone which determines the design and orientation of the building, was the most significant stone in the structure. Father thank You that we are living stones, resembling Jesus, the chief cornerstone.

  Good morning. Since we have been born again of a seed imperishable, the word of God… Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander (that is a lot to put aside; but you will never grow if you don’t), like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word (too many Christians only want to hear “the deep things of God“ and disdain the simple truths), so that by it (the pure milk of the word) you may grow in respect to salvation (you don’t want to get born again and then never grow after that), if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. Father help us to long for Your word like a newborn baby longs for milk.

  Good morning. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again (having been regenerated) not of seed which is perishable but imperishable (same Greek word used to describe our inheritance), that is, through the living and enduring word of God. Jesus tried to explain to Nicodemus about being born again (or from above). Peter then quotes a verse from the old testament that declares that the word of the Lord endures forever (imperishable). And this is the word which was preached to you. God’s word is the seed; our heart is the ground into which the seed is planted; and the Holy Spirit waters it and makes it grow. Father thank You that You did not cause us to be born again of something that would perish; but You caused us to be born again by a seed imperishable – causing us to live forever.

  Good morning. Speaking of the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God … For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world (my Bible says this could mean that God knew before creation that it would be necessary for Christ to redeem man, or that it could also be translated that He chose Him before the foundation of the world as the Redeemer), but has appeared in these last times (if then was the “last times”, how much more so today?) for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Father, our faith and hope are in You, and You never disappoint.

  Good morning. Conduct yourselves in fear…; Knowing that you were not redeemed (people who were slaves could be redeemed from their slavery by the payment of a sum of money) with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life (trying to live up to the law was futile - you couldn’t do it, and the law would not save you anyway) inherited from your forefathers, (it took a lot more than money) but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Under the law, various sins could be “covered over” by the sacrifice of an animal, such as a lamb. The lamb could not be just any old lamb – it had to be unblemished and spotless. Father thank You that the blood of Jesus, the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God, redeemed us from all our sins.

  Good morning. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts (strong desires) which were yours in your ignorance. The Greek word here for “conformed“ is the same one from Romans 12:2 - do not be conformed to this world. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “you shall be holy, for I am holy“. Being holy is the opposite of being conformed to our former lusts. If you address as Father the One who impartially judges (no matter how hard he/she tries, no human can impartially judge in every case) according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear (that does not mean that you go around trembling lest you do something wrong; but it is out of a respect and knowledge that you on your own can never be obedient) during the time of your stay on earth. Father help us to be conformed to Your Word and not to the things of the world.

  Good morning. Because of the grace and salvation that came to us… Therefore, prepare your minds for action (action begins in the mind), keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. My Bible says that this is the first of a long series of exhortations (actually imperatives) that end four chapters later. In the language of the first century it meant that the reader should literally gather up his long, flowing garments and be ready for physical action. This means that Peter was not just pontificating, but that he meant serious business. Too many times we hear an inspiring message and say “yes, we should do that“, but then we never put it into action. We have received grace upon grace, but it pales in comparison to that grace that we will receive when Jesus returns. Father help us to “be ready to roll“ at a moment’s notice from You

  Good morning. It was revealed to them (the prophets) that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preach the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things into which angels long to look. My Bible says: The angels’ intense desire is highlighted by the Greek word rendered “to look into.“ It means to stoop and look intently“. It is the same Greek word used in John chapter 20 when John and Peter ran to the tomb and John was described as “stooping and looking in“. Right after that, it was also used of Mary looking into the tomb. As eager as these people were to see if the body of Jesus was still in the tomb, so the angels longed to look into the gospel; but the gospel is not for angels, it is for humans. Father help us to have that same strong desire to look into Your Word and apply it to our lives.

  Good morning. And though you have not seen Him (Jesus), you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (In the Upper Room Jesus said to Thomas, “because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed.“) obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. And to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries. Imagine the faith that it took for the old testament prophets to speak the words God gave them about the salvation to come, and yet not have a clue of how it was going to come about. Father thank You that You tell us through Your Word what is to come. Help us to act on it in faith.

  Good morning. In this you greatly rejoice (in our salvation and inheritance to be revealed), even though now for a little while (it may seem long while you are going through it, but relative to eternity, it is but a moment), if necessary (not all will go through trials), you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith (James said “show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works”), being more precious than gold which is perishable (a few verses before Peter said that our inheritance is imperishable), even though tested by fire (remember that “our inheritance will not fade away“ is the negative of quenching a fire), may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Gold is made pure by fire, and so is our faith. Father help us to keep our eyes on the prize and not on the trials that we have to go through for Your sake.

  Good morning. Why did God cause us to be born again to a living hope... To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable (moth and rust do not corrupt) and undefiled (The treasures of earth could be defiled) and will not fade away (in Greek, this is the negative of quenching a fire), reserved in heaven for you, who are protected (as with a garrison of troops) by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (it has not yet been revealed what we shall be like; but we know that when He returns, we shall be like Him). Exactly what is the extent of our salvation and our inheritance? It is veiled to us right now, but it will be revealed at the end. Father thank You for our salvation which will be revealed in the last time.

  Good morning. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again (this is what Jesus said to Nicodemus, and Nicodemus did not understand) to a living hope (why would the Father have Jesus go through all the pain and suffering, obtaining a way for us to be born again, and then abandon us to the grave? Our hope is not wishful thinking, but confidence that we will be resurrected one day) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Next time we will see why He did it. Father thank You for causing us to be born again into a living hope.

  Good morning. Today we begin with I Peter. Peter identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus. There was only one, so we know who is writing. To those who reside as aliens (believers are aliens to this world), scattered throughout (different places), who are chosen (we didn’t earn it) according to the foreknowledge (this comes from the same Greek word from which we get the medical term prognosis) of God the Father, and by the sanctifying work of the Spirit (this shows that the third Person of the Trinity is also involved), to obey Jesus Christ (which we are incapable of doing without being sanctified) and be sprinkled with His blood (all articles of worship in the tabernacle and then in the temple were sprinkled with the blood of animals – we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus): may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Father thank You that You chose us despite knowing all of the awful things that we would do before and after becoming Christians. Help us to walk in Yo...

  Good morning. However, if you have committed sins… Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. It is possible that a sickness arises because of some sin that you have done. We have no inkling of just how much can be accomplished through our prayers. James then talks about Elijah: he prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years; then he prayed again and rain poured down. Can your prayers do that? Can they move a mountain, like Jesus said? If any of you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. That’s even more powerful than healing. Instead of turning our backs on someone who strays, we should be helping that person to commit their lives to Christ. And that is the end of the book of James. Father help us to be ope...

  Good morning. Is anyone among you suffering (then be sure to tell everyone in the church so that you can have a pity party, and they can empathize with you – no!)? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick (then be sure to run to the emergency room)? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith (not one of those “if it be Thy will“ kind of prayers) will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up (that’s my kind of guarantee), and if he has committed sins (it didn’t say that he had committed sins, and that’s why he was sick), they will be forgiven him (that’s a side benefit you don’t see coming). If the people in the church did just those things in those two verses, it would truly be a dynamic place of God. Father help us to always seek You first for our healing, unlike the king in the Old Testament who sough...

Good morning. Speaking of patience… As an example of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. James then talks about the endurance of Job and the outcome of the Lord’s dealings. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. Job went through a lot, but in the end he was faithful to the Lord, and He restored all that Job had and more. The Jews used to swear by things (remember Jesus talking about them swearing by the temple, etc.); but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. When you say yes, you will do something or no, you will not do something, that should be all that you need to indicate certainty. You should not need anything else to emphasize that you are telling the truth. Father help us to endure all that comes against us because we are standing on Your promises.

  Good morning. James then tells us to be patient until the coming of the Lord, just like the farmers are patient about the crops. You too be patient, strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Just like Jesus talked about, too many Christians think that because “the coming of the Lord is a long way off”, they can do what they want now and clean up their act later. However, He could come at any moment and find you doing wrong to your neighbor. Do not complain against one another (Ouch!), so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door. If we believed that Jesus was going to return at any moment, we would not do or say the things that we do. Father help us to be patient for Jesus’ return and to treat others the way we would if we knew for certain that He would come at this moment.

  Good morning. Come now, you who say, we are going to do thus and so. You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. Instead, you ought to say, “if the Lord wills…“ As it is you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. And now an observation that sets the standard high, and one which most of us do not adhere to: therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. It’s not that you did something that in and of itself was not right; it is that you neglected to do something that was beneficial to others. James then scolds the rich people who treat their workers unbecomingly. He tells them that the workers will cry out unto the Lord of the Sabbath. Father thank You for all that You have given us. Continue to bless the reader and his/her family.

  Good morning. Continuing with those 10 commands: humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. Again action is required on your part first. This is almost an exact quote from Jesus. This does not mean that you are a doormat. Remember that Moses was known as the meekest man on earth; and yet he got very angry with the people. Do not speak against one another. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. Here is another instance where James goes back to the law – as Christians we are not judged by the law. We are held to an even higher standard. If it is wrong under the law to judge or speak against a brother, how much more is it wrong as a Christian? We can’t even want to judge or speak against a brother. There is only one lawgiver and judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you to judge your neighbor? Father...

  Good morning. He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud (those who think they did it all on their own), but gives grace to the humble“. My Bible says that the following verses contain 10 commands, each of which so stated in Greek that it calls for immediate action and rooting out the sinful attitude of pride. The first one is a positive: draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Note that it requires us to do something first, and then God will respond to that action. If your heart is impure, then you cannot draw near to God. So, cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded (literally means two-souled). If your heart is not pure, you will be “touching“ things that you should not. And if you have an impure heart: be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into gloom. We will continue these commands tomorrow. Father help us to draw near to You, under the shadow of Your win...

  Good morning. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. “Gimme gimme gimme, my name is Jimmy.” That’s the way we ask God for things. We don’t ask so that we can help those in need; we ask so they can we can buy the things that we want. Now comes a very sharp rebuke: you adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? They were having “an affair“ with mammon. Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. The things of the world do look inviting; but the end results are things contradictory to the kingdom of God. He jealously desires the Spirit (could be lower case “s” meaning our human spirit) which He has made to dwell in us. He wants our spirit to desire Him and not the things of the world. Father thank You that when we ask for things for others, You give us things for ourselves.

  Good morning. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (you don’t get the fruit of righteousness from a “non-righteous tree“) is sown in peace by those who make peace (blessed are the peacemakers). Want to know why there is all this fussing and fighting – what is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust (remember that it just means very strong desire; not necessarily sexual) and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. All of this is obvious, especially today. You don’t get what you want, so you get angry at those who do; even though it’s not their fault that you don’t get what you want. You lash out at them, even possibly to the point of killing them. First of all, did you ask God for it, or did you just assume that it was your right to have whatever it was? Next time we will see that there is a correct wa...

  Good morning. What about that heavenly wisdom? The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. That is powerful! First it is pure. You can trust it, unlike the wisdom of the world. As Sergeant Friday on Dragnet used to say, “just the facts ma’am“. It doesn’t use lies or try to deceive you. Is there disorder and discontent? Then that wisdom is not from above. It is gentle and does not try to force you to believe what it says. It only brings forth good fruits (so you know the tree is good). It is steadfast – you don’t have to worry that it will all change tomorrow. Father help us to only listen to the wisdom from above – Your wisdom.

  Good morning. … His deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. If you have either jealousy or selfish ambition, many times you will tell lies to your advantage or others’ disadvantage. It may seem like wisdom for the moment. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic (the devil and his minions are happy to supply you with things to say). In other words, it may seem like the smart thing to do – spread lies. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. We see this today when people tell lies to elevate themselves or or to demote others. Everything is in disarray. Next time we will see the characteristics of the wisdom from above. Father help us to not speak lies out of jealousy or selfish ambition. Continue to go with the reader and his/her family; bringing relief from affliction along with ...

  Good morning. Continuing with the tongue : with it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. We “speak out of both sides of our mouths“. In church we say, “bless you brother“. In the workplace ... well, we won’t go there. A fountain does not send out both fresh and bitter water; a fig tree does not produce olives, etc. This reminds us of when Jesus said, “you will know them by their fruits“. Or, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it will still wallow in the mud. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. Next time we will see that James explains the difference between the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of the world. Father help us to have good things in our hearts so that we will have good things coming out of our mouths.

  Good morning. James then talks about controlling horses and ships with very small items. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! - just like a bit for a horse and a rudder for a ship. And the tongue is a fire (tell me about it), the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. If the devil cannot get you to do wrong, he will get others to say evil things about you. All creatures of nature have been tamed by man. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Father help us to allow the Holy Spirit to control what we say; to speak forth uplifting things and not those that drag people down. Continue to bless the reader and his/her family.

  Good morning. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. We commented on this last time. Let not many of you become teachers knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. It is bad when you have wrong beliefs; it is worse when you share those beliefs with others, hoping they will also believe like you do; it is the worst thing possible when you elevate yourself into the place of a teacher, training others to share the same wrong beliefs that you have. The lawyers and Pharisees did the same thing. They came under strict judgment; and so will you. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man able to bridal the whole body as well. “Out of the heart the mouth speaks“. We all have let things slip that we wish we had never said. You want to be the best of the best? Then watch what you say! Father help us to not dwell on ev...

  Good morning. Continuing with Abraham offering up his son on the altar: you see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works (corresponding actions), faith was perfected (brought to completion); and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.“ (that would seem to imply that if Abraham had not offered up his son, that he would not have been considered righteous) And he was called the friend of God. He was called the friend of God because he trusted so much that God was going to fulfill His promise that through his son Isaac he would be called the father of multitudes even when it looked like there was no way it could happen. He did what God was going to do thousands of years later with His Son, Jesus. Father help us to exercise our faith in such a way that we will be called Your friend.

  Good morning. You believe that God is one (there is one God). You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. Is that part of your “I have faith“? If so, it’s not very convincing. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? That seems a little less harsh than saying that your faith is dead; but the end result is the same. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? Here is another place that Paul and James seem to disagree majorly. Paul says that we didn’t do anything to obtain our justification. It too was a gift of God. Possibly it was because Abraham was before the cross. No one had obtained justification for him, nor anyone else at that time. And so it was necessary that he do something to obtain justification (just as if he had never sinned). Father help the reader and his/her family to continually show faith that is living and not useless.

  Good morning. If a fellow believer has needs, and you say to them “God bless you – have a nice day”; what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. They are both just a lot of hot air. Someone may well say, “you have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works“. Of course you cannot “show your faith“ without doing something to corroborate your statement. It is like Jesus with the paralytic who was let down through the ceiling. “Which is easier, to say your sins are forgiven, or to say rise and walk”. Anyone can say “your sins are forgiven“, and no one except perhaps the person himself will know whether or not his sins are forgiven. But if you say “rise and walk“, he better rise and walk or you will be denounced as a fraud. Anyone can say they have faith and no one will know whether or not it is a true statement; but if you have works (corresponding actions), everyone will know you have fait...

  Good morning. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. That seems contradictory, a “law“ of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; Mercy triumphs over judgment. That seems to go along with “Judge not, lest you be judged“. Now we come to the section that seems to divide James versus Paul - works versus faith. What use is it, my brethren if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? That is a legitimate question. People today say that they are Christians, but their words and actions seem to contradict that. Just because you say you are a Christian, that does not mean that you are going to heaven. Your words and actions should confirm that. But is that what James means by “works“, or does it have to do with works of the law? Instead of the word “works”, a notable evangelist said that the phrase “corresponding actions” should be used. Can faith without corresponding actions save anyone? Fathe...

  Good morning. Continuing with the way you treat the poor versus the way you treat the rich in church: if you are fulfilling the Royal law according to the scripture, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself“, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. This is a clear example where James talks about things concerning the law. I have questions about his using this throughout the book. Is he simply writing this because he is writing to Jews who knew and understood all things about the law, and is using the law to illustrate principles of Christianity? Or is he writing this before he came to a full understanding about what it meant to be saved and to live under grace? Depending on which “expert“ you consult, there are differing views about when the book of James was actually written. My question is, was it written befo...

  Good morning. We’ve seen what religion is not; now we see what religion should be - pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. It isn’t whether or not you talk the talk; it’s whether or not you walk the walk. Helping widows and orphans would be disdainful in the sight of religious people. They wouldn’t want to “get their hands dirty”. We can’t go out of the world; we have to live in it. But when you do, it is too easy for the world to “rub off on you“ - to put it’s “stain“ on you. James then admonishes us to not think that just because we are Christians that we are better than the “lowliest” people that come to church, and to give preference to the rich. Father help us to be mindful of those who are less blessed than we are, and when they come to church to treat them as equals with even the rich.

  Good morning. The one who looks intently (this is from the same Greek word that describes how Mary and also John looked into the empty tomb of Jesus) at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does (the word). One does not think of a law as bringing liberty; one thinks of it as restricting what you can do. James reiterates that one must not just be a hearer of the word, but also a doer of the word. OK here’s the litmus test of spirituality: if anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. There are too many Christians who think themselves “holier than thou“, but their actions and words reveal that they are not. Father help us to allow You to control our words and our actions.

  Good morning. Today we begin the book of James, the Lord’s brother (while the author of the book does not claim to be Jesus‘ brother, it has been accepted by the church that he was). James, a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes who are dispersed abroad (this reveals that he is writing to Jews, and this explains a lot of the terminology that he uses). Can you imagine your big brother that you’ve known all your life and now you find out He is the Son of God? And now a verse that really does not sound right: consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Are you kidding me – joy? Notice what he did not say – be happy about it. The joy comes from knowing that you were counted worthy to have your faith tested. My Bible says the word translated trials and the one in a later verse translated temptations come from the same Greek root word. Both require faith to stand firm in the midst of. Yo...

  Good morning. The final verses that we will cover in the book of Hebrews, is my prayer for you: now the God of peace (that passes all understanding), who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant (the blood of animals established the first, temporary, covenant; the blood of the Lamb established the second, eternal, one), even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasant in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen!

  Good morning. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. So if in the previous verse a sacrifice of praise to God means you praise Him even when things are bad, then sacrifice here means doing good and sharing when you are not able or don’t feel like it. No, just like with praise, it is the way we offer sacrifices to God now instead of with slain animals. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. As we have said before there are groups of Christians who believe that there is a hierarchy to the leadership. There is some “apostle“ who is over a group of “apostles“ who are over your pastor who is over you. Each level can tell the level below them exactly what to do. They are not dictators. We go to them for advice and counsel. Father help us to continually offer sacrifices to You, not just with our lips, but also with our actions.

  Good morning. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Unfortunately, some people have interpreted this a certain way because of the ambiguity of the word sacrifice. They interpret it as meaning: despite how bad things are for me and how badly I feel, I should still praise God – I am sacrificing for Jesus. But that is not how the Jews in the early church would’ve interpreted the word sacrifice. The Jews offered up sacrifices to God for many different things; one of which was a thank offering. The author of Hebrews defines what he means by this: it is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Instead of offering up animals or other items through fire, we offer praise through our mouths. Now it does include the times when we don’t feel like it. We will see next time that the next verse, also using the word sacrifice, would also have to be interpreted the same way. Father, we offer prai...

  Good morning. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. We don’t have to worry about, “well, that’s the way Jesus operated when He was here on earth with His disciples; or the way He acted to help the early church; but today is different“. Just like Jesus is the same, so is God’s word – it never changes. A lot of people, including some Christians, want to say that however God operated and whatever He said thousands of years ago does not apply today – everything is different. Remember: “I am the Lord. I change not”. And because God and His word do not change: do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings (in this case about what foods one was allowed to eat under the law of Moses). Father thank You that we can trust that You never change. What You said and did yesterday is what You say and do today and tomorrow.

  Good morning. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” That’s an interesting statement following the remark about the love of money. We should not be stockpiling money out of the fear that we will have to take care of ourselves without help from God. It’s too easy to put your confidence in your money and not in God. He is not going to leave us to our own devices. And now a good way to live our lives: remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. As always, we don’t elevate people; we elevate the result of their way of life and their faith. We follow them, as they follow Christ. Father go with the reader and his/her family, helping them to have a character free from the love of money, imitating the faith of those who lead them.

  Good morning. All of the fireworks happening on Mount Sinai was nothing compared to what is coming. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven“. That’s kind of unsettling. This denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Will you be one of those that remain? We know you will! Therefore since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. If we lived our lives with this thought in mind, we would never disobey God. Father thank You that the reader and his/her family are among those that will remain!

  Good morning. For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and… (all of which were fearful to the children of Israel). The author of Hebrews is referring to Moses and the children of Israel coming to Mount Sinai (for the giving of the old covenant). But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the myriads of angels, to the General assembly and church of the firstborn (The word is plural in Greek, so it is not talking about Jesus. The firstborn son got an extra portion of the inheritance) who are enrolled in heaven (The book of Revelation talks about those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life), and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect (possibly talking about those who were considered righteous under the old covenant), and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel (in the book of Genesis, his blood cr...

  Good morning. Pursue (imperative!) peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Legally we are sanctified at rebirth; experientially it takes a lifetime. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God. Operating in the grace of God is the highest plane. To operate in our own strength and power is to fall short of the grace of God. That no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled. Something causes bitterness, and it is not always obvious – many times it is hidden deep within the roots in the ground. That there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Afterwards he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance though he sought for it with tears. I used to think that he was seeking for his own repentance (change of mind). I now realize that he was trying to change Isaac’s mind through tears, just like little children today. Father help us to set ourselv...

  Good morning. Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. This is what we read yesterday and emphasizes that the race is not a sprint, but rather a marathon. You don’t “endure“ a sprint. You have not yet resisted to the point of (the) shedding (of your) blood in your striving against sin. Even though Jesus’ blood was shed during the scourging and crucifixion, He still resisted yielding to sin in order to save Himself. “Those whom the Lord loves He disciplines“. It is for discipline that you endure. But if you are without discipline, then you are not sons. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. “This is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you“. Yeah, right! Father thank You that we are Your children, and You discipline us for own good.

  Good morning. The author of Hebrews then mentions many people in the old testament who had faith. All these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. It’s easy to empathize with them that they believed against all odds, and yet never saw the culmination of their faith. And yet in one sense, we don’t either; we don’t see the ultimate outcome of our faith – ourselves going to heaven. Since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Father help us to endure to the end that way may be pleasing in Your sight...

  Good morning. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure  ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. If you have seen the movie, “the 10 Commandments“, it’s hard not to think of that movie as being what truly happened. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king (that’s not what the book of Exodus seems to say); for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood; also they passed through the Red Sea as though dry land. With every miracle, Moses gained more and more confidence that God was truly going to take them to the promised land. Father thank You that You have promised much for the reader and his/her family. Help them to remain confident in You that it truly will happen just as You sai...

  Good morning. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. At that point in time, Joseph had been in Egypt 90 years, and the rest of his relatives 70 years. They were prospering and multiplying in numbers. They had no “need“ or desire to leave Egypt. Why would he even think about the children of Israel leaving Egypt - because God had said that they would after 400 years. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they were not afraid of the king’s edict that all Jewish baby boys should be killed the moment they were born. Just like before, it does not “read” like they were not afraid. The Jews had gotten too comfortable living in Egypt, and were not even thinking about going back to the land of Canaan. Sadly, too much of the church is the same today. They have gotten too comfortable living in the world and do not even look forward to leaving it for heaven. Fath...

  Good morning. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “in Isaac your descendants shall be called”. How could he do that? Could we? This is the way that God said it was going to happen, and now He’s saying to throw it all away…! He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. This was definitely impressive. No wonder Abraham was called the friend of God. He did the same thing that God would do thousands of years later with His Son. James says that by this act, Abraham was justified before God. That is not required today – Jesus obtained our justification for us; it is impossible for us to do it ourselves. Father help us to keep our faith like Abraham, even when it seems like it is impossible for what You promised to happen.

  Good morning. Because of all this faith… therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. That’s a bunch, especially considering that Abraham had only one son, Isaac, and two grandchildren, Jacob and Esau. All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (reminds one of the old gospel song, “this world is not my home, I’m just a passing through“) Could we keep our faith in God that He would do what He said He would, even until death? They desired a better country (than the one from which they went out), that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Father help us to not look back wistfully on the place from which we’ve come like the children...

  Good morning. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. Me, I’m going to say, “Hey God, would You put the GPS coordinates in my phone?” He lived as an alien in the land of promise with Isaac, and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise. They lived in tents and never had what we would call a permanent home. He was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. If you read the account in Genesis, Sarah laughed when the Lord told Abraham that she was going to have a baby boy. That does not sound like she considered God faithful; and yet the book of Hebrews calls her so. That is the way that God sees even us. Father help us to see ourselves as You see us - people of faith.

  Good morning. He mentions Abel offering to God a better sacrifice by faith; then Enoch being taken up because he was pleasing to God. And 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 seek Him. (if you seek Him, He will let you find Him) Next he writes: by faith, Noah being warned by God, and in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household. By this he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. In chapter 2 of Genesis, it says that God had not sent rain upon the earth at that time. It does not mention whether or not rain did come before the flood. Even if it had come, it had not come to the magnitude that it did during the flood. Noah believed God that he would need something as large as the ark to protect himself, his family, and the animals, even though he had never seen anything that would require something that huge. Father help ...

  Good morning. The author of Hebrews is now going to mention various things that happened in the old testament which seem incredulous. It requires faith for one to believe them. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. This of course is a big controversy today. Christians believe that the creation of the universe happened just as the book of Genesis said it did. Non-believers that say that things just got together and all of a sudden there was a Big Bang, and now we have what we have. Supposedly science agrees with them. It takes a lot of faith to dismiss what the supposed science says and to believe what the book of Genesis says. Humans believe that things come from other things. Where did those “things“ come from? Hebrews says that God created everything out of things which are not seen. God said …, and it was. Who ya gonna believe – supposed science, or God? Father thank You that ...

  Good morning. My righteous One shall live by faith. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. So what do we mean by faith? Faith is the assurance (substance)  of things hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen. Remember – for why does one hope for what one sees? Hope has no substance, because it is in the future – what you are hoping for  does not exist right now. When there is a crime, there is evidence left behind. You do not see the actual event; you see the results of the event. Faith is the “evidence“ that the “crime” (what we were hoping for) has happened. For by it the men of old gained approval. Do you want approval – have faith. Father thank You that even though we cannot see with our physical eyes what we are hoping for, we know for certain that if You promised it, it is ours.

  Good morning. Remember when after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. You accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Could we do that? If we had to go through all of that because of our beliefs in God, would we do that, especially joyfully? You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. There are missionaries and other believers in other countries that have lost everything, including their lives because of their beliefs. Are we willing to endure all of that? Father help us to keep our eyes on the prize and to not bend to the will of those who try to afflict us because of our beliefs in You.

  Good morning. If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. That’s pretty harsh. When we sin and don’t immediately get zapped, humans tend to think they got away with it and can keep doing it. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? In other words, there is no such thing as “greasy grace“. The Bible has said “vengeance is Mine, I will repay; and the Lord will judge His people“. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Father thank You that Your Grace is greater than Your judgment. Help us to obey You, n...

  Good morning. Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and Living way through His flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. We don’t have to come trembling into the presence of God fearing that He will destroy us. On the day of atonement, when the high priest went into the holy of holies, supposedly they tied a rope around his ankle so that if he had not performed the proper sacrifices for himself and God killed him, they could drag him out of the holy of holies. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us not forsake our assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Father help us to come before You with confidence, not fear. Help us to always remember th...

Good morning. The law could never make perfect those who draw near. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. The Father finished His work a long time ago and “rested“. And now Jesus has finished His work, and sat down. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are “being“ sanctified. Legally we are sanctified at rebirth; experientially, it takes a lifetime to be sanctified. The author of Hebrews then repeats the verse that says that the new covenant is God putting His laws on our hearts and writing them on our minds and remembering our sins no more. Father thank You that Your laws are written on our minds and our hearts performing their works through Your Holy Spirit.

  Good morning. In the first covenant, Moses sprinkled all the objects and the people with blood. According to the law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. If the first covenant required the shedding of blood – the heavenly things themselves “needed to be sprinkled“ with better sacrifices than these. Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, but into heaven itself to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once (however the book of Revelation speaks of a second death) and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation (without reference to sin), to those who eagerly await Him. We have already received salvation “with reference to sin“; but we await the “salvation” of our bodies. Father help us to make ourselves pure as we aw...

  Good morning. Therefore, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Where two sides disagree, you need a mediator (or go-between) to settle the dispute. The accuser of the brethren says that we did wrong and therefore deserve eternal destruction; the blood of Jesus says that we are forgiven. Where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. That’s because as long is that person is alive, he or she will make sure that the agreement is enforced, and there is no need of a covenant at that time. Father continue to guide the reader and his/her family in their decisions every day.

  Good morning. So we have the way of the old: but when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, nor of this creation; and not through the blood of animals but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. The redemption under the old, was temporary; the redemption under the new is eternal. If the blood of animals cleansed the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? The blood of animals was sprinkled on the flesh of the people; the blood of Christ is sprinkled on our consciences. Father thank You that we are cleansed by a better sacrifice through the blood of Christ.