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"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17) As Peter wrote his first epistle, foremost in his mind was a desire to encourage the believers to stand firm in the face of suffering and trial. On four occasions he used the term, "the end," focusing his reader's attention on the final resolution of all things. A study of these occurrences gives us a glimpse of the tenor of the entire book. The first use followed an explanation of the nature and benefits of the various trials in a believer's life. The result would be a pure, effective faith now, as well as "receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1:9), the final ultimate deliverance of our whole person. Meanwhile, "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1:13). Our minds should be completely ("to the end") ready for action, sober and expectant, focused on the ultimate resolution of all trials. This ultimate resolution could come at any time: "the end of all things is at hand" (4:7). Our responses should be to "be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." To be sober is to be of sound judgment, making careful decisions, not based on emotion; especially watchful as we pray, with eternity in mind. Our text gives us the last occurrence of "the end." The time of final judgment on both Christian and non-Christian looms nearer and nearer. But God's cleansing of His people has already begun and it at times is not pleasant, although beneficial. His judgment on those outside "the house of God" will be much more severe, with no opportunity for reconciliation. This warning should motivate us in our ministry to the unsaved. JDM
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The Throne of Davidby Henry Morris, Ph.D."And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (2 Samuel 7:16) No other ordinary human being, not even the greatest of men, was ever given a promise like this promise to David. It can be understood, however, when one realizes that David is a type of Christ and that, in terms of His human genealogy, Christ did indeed inherit the right to David's throne. As the angel Gabriel told Mary: "the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever" (Luke 1:32-33). The coming Messiah is identified as this promised Son of David in the Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7). Without attempting to discuss the eschatological implications of these great prophecies, it is remarkable just to note the striking typological relation of David to Christ (and, correspondingly, of Saul to Adam). Saul, like Adam, had a wonderful physique and every natural advantage; he was given dominion over a new order of things under God; he received God's Spirit and his seed would have reigned forever had he not failed by intruding into a forbidden sphere; he was then rejected by God because of his disobedience, and finally the Spirit of God departed from him. David, however, is a beautiful type of the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ. Though anointed, he was not accepted by his brethren; he was a shepherd and performed great services for his people before becoming king; but he was rejected and condemned to death. God delivered him, but even then he was only accepted by a few, until suddenly all Israel accepted him and he was promised an eternal kingdom. Christ now claims: "I am the root and the offspring of David"--that is, both Creator and heir of David--"and the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16). |
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The Lordby Henry Morris, Ph.D."Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19) The title "Lord," when applied to Christ, is not merely a title of respect, but an acknowledgment of relationship. We belong to Him, just as bond servants (slaves) belong to their owners. He owns us, having bought (i.e., "redeemed") us with His blood, and the distinguishing seal of His purchase is that His servants are expected to "depart from iniquity." Thus, whenever "Lord" is attached to His name, there is an implied confession of His Lordship in that particular area of life. For example, to be saved, one must "confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus" (i.e., "Jesus as Lord") and "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 10:9; Acts 16:31). Following that, we are commanded: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6). Even in the mundane affairs of life, He is our Lord. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2:13); "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). Obedience to the Lordship of Christ is, of course, absolutely essential for a truly Christian and happy family. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. . . . Husbands, love your wives, . . . even as the Lord the church. . . .Children, obey your parents in the Lord. . . . And, ye fathers . . . bring [your children] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22, 25, 29; 6:1, 4). As our text reminds us, Christ's Lordship implies holiness and full submission to Him. "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh. . . . For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord (Romans 13:14; 14:8). HMM |
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| A Balanced Life | | Joyce Meyer | | Joyce Meyer Ministries | |
| Car maintenance is necessary. If you don't rotate and balance your tires on a regular basis, they are going to become unbalanced and wear out quicker. If you don't change your oil regularly, the motor will eventually burn up. It's all a matter of keeping a balance between what's good and bad for your car.
Having a lack of balance in our lives is one of the greatest problems we face, and it's so easy to get out of balance! It might be something as simple as eating too much of a good thing. You might eat it once and then think, Well, I think I'll have some more of that. And pretty soon you're letting yourself have some more...and some more...until before long, you've got a big problem. You're eating way too much, and your diet is out of balance.
Being out of balance could be worrying, watching too much television, or spending too much money. We may want to blame the devil for these problems, but really he's on the scene because we got out of balance and opened the door for him to come in. First Peter 5:8 AMP says, Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
A balanced life requires discipline and self-control. The apostle Paul said that anyone who wanted to gain mastery had to restrict himself in all things (I Corinthians 9:25). Fortunately we don't have to attempt this on our own. Hebrews 13:6 says, We say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper." With His help, we can live a life of balance. |
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My Declaration of Faith for Today | | The Lord is my helper to keep all areas of my life in balance. |
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BE NICE ALWAYS
Category: Life "People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness; they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
– Mother Teresa | | |
| | Psalm 91Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD. 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of ththe destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
14 "Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 "With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation."
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