Philippians 3:1-3 - Spiritual Defense Wins Championships

Philippians 3:1-3

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.

Message: Spiritual Defense Wins Championships

What the Lord is Saying:

From the sermon yesterday at church (Mother's Day), Lamar Morin spoke: 

Defense wins championships is something often credited to Bear Bryant, former legendary football coach of Alabama Crimson Tide. Physical defense of any sort is very important, like for military. But spiritual defense or protection is also key. 

Verse 1 begins with the word, "Finally." Finally does not signal the end of this book as there is still several chapters to go. Paul has more to say.

1. Having the right defense

We need to rejoice in the Lord. Lord, help me to rejoice in You always. Joy transcends momentary times of happiness. I look to You Lord as my reservoir of joy. I am rejoicing in Jesus all You have done. 

John 15:11 says that Jesus' joy in us makes us complete. -- These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Psalm 32:11 -- Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

We need these continual reminders. Protect us Lord. Thank you for not wanting me to fail. Rejoice always, not complaining. O Spirit of God you protect me from sinning. 

2. Avoid the wrong audibles. There are those attempt to change some of the details or play calling by our Master. 

a. Dogs - avoid the dogs by watching out continually. Lord, I have to be on the lookout for these dogs in my life or false teachers. Beware of those hard people. Spiritually direct me away from those who mislead.

b. There are evil workers. Galatians 3:24-25. Beware of movements that are dividing up the Bible. The Law is our guardian until Christ comes. Faith has come. We have faith in Jesus Christ. Our focus should always be on Christ. 

c. Watch out for legalism. Legalist refers to the belief that salvation or acceptance with God is achieved through strict adherence to rules, laws, or rituals, rather than through faith in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, circumcision marked the cutting away of the old person. Now that is the Holy Spirit. He cuts away what is bad in our life. [I've heard baptism is counter to circumcision - both being outward displays.] 

3. Serve in the Spirit

For example, we need worship not just Sunday, but throughout the week. Lord, redirect me to boast in You Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 says, "But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends." Help me to not put confidence in the flesh. Nothing good lives in me. I don't want to only win a battle but the war. 

End with a hymn. Written in 1891. 

My faith has found a resting place. I need no other argument. It is enough that Jesus died and that died for me. 

Prayer: O God, you are great in mercy and love. I need to rejoice in You and keep rejoicing in You each day. Direct me away from what is false. Keep showing me the truth and thank you for instilling this in my life. I walk by your strength each day. I walk in your Spirit. You are my guide and I want to stay confident in You. Forgive me for my sins. They are many. They continue. Help me. You give me signals each day and I need to follow through on your leading. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

TABLETALK - April 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 
• February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation
• March 2018 (August 13, 2023 - September 30, 2023) John 4:1 - 5:29 - Christ is the incarnate Son of God
• April 2018 (October 1, 2023 - November 6, 2023) John 5:30 - John 7:36 - Jesus is as necessary to our souls as food is to our body; Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths

John 5 continued

Testifying to Jesus (John 5:30-36) - John testified of Jesus prior to His coming and Jesus is sent by the Father and in the miracles He performed this also testified of Him. 

The Witness of Moses and the Scriptures (John 5:37-47) - The witness of Jesus continues with the words of Moses and the writings of Scripture, which testify of Jesus Christ and His glory. 

John 6

Multiplying Loaves and Fishes (John 6:1-14) - Jesus feeds the multitudes following Him multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fish to provide for more than enough and the people testify that He is the prophet prophesied. 

Withdrawing from a Confused Crowd (John 6:15) - Upon hearing that the crowd thought he was their Prophet to shake things up politically, Jesus withdrew and went back to the mountain, alone. 

Walking on the Sea of Galilee (John 6:16-21) - The disciples go out onto the sea, get hit by a storm and Jesus shows up, walking on the water saying, "Fear not."

The Work God Requires (John 6:22-29) - Jesus talks to the multitudes, helping them see that they only need to believe in Him in this life and not go after that which meets their own temporary needs of this life. 

True Bread from Heaven (John 6:30-35) - Jesus tells the multitude that the Father provides the true bread of life that they need and Jesus is this bread, giving us eternal life and therefore, we shall not hunger or thirst again. 

The Father's Gift to the Son (John 6:36-40) - The Father has gifted people to the Son to be saved and the Son gives eternal life and possessing these people, Jesus will not cast them out ever and He will never lose them.

Drawing People to Faith (John 6:41-44) - Jesus is the Bread from Heaven, sent by God. God enlightens the mind and urges people to yield themselves to the Savior. 

The Bread of Christ's Flesh (John 6:45-51) - We must eat the bread of heaven in order to have eternal life, and this eating consists in believing in Christ. 

Eating and Belief (John 6:52-59) - As Jesus is the bread of life, to eat his flesh and drink His blood is to abide in Him and to trust in Him completely for salvation practicing all that He has provided for us to grow in Christ.

Grumbling and Disbelief (John 6:60-65) - True followers of Christ are true believers, that have been drawn by the Father, the Spirit gives them life, and they understand all that Jesus is saying to them. 

Persevering Disciples (John 6:66-71) - After some have left following Jesus, Jesus turns to the 12 for them to examine themselves as he knows one will betray Him at some point and will they all continue to follow Him. 

John 7

At the Feast of Booths (John 7:1-13) - Jesus' brothers ask him to join them on their journey to Jerusalem for the Feast of Booth and to publicly speak to people, but Jesus knows His time not yet come and will go in private.

Judging with Right Judgment (John 7:14-24) - In Jerusalem, Jesus speaks in the temple, speaking from the will of God, and defends healing on the Sabbath reminding people that we need to remember motives and intention over rule-keeping. 

Speculating About the Christ (John 7:25-31) - Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem now provides clarity that His origin is from the Father, whom they do not know. 

A Perplexed Opposition (John 7:32-36) - As Jesus speaks and continues to speak, people are perplexed by His words. The Pharisees want him seized. But it not yet Jesus' time. He will be on this earth a little longer.

Difficult Teachings of Jesus

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing - Burk Parsons - The greatest threat of false teachers is within the church. They quote scripture. They are nice people. It is not so much what they teach, but rather what they do not teach. They might speak of Jesus, salvation, gospel, faith, but will often twist words to suit their own wants. To prevent this we must be committed to the sound preaching of all of God's words and to contend for the faith. 

The Origin and Presence of False Teaching - Fred Greco (Senior pastor of Christ Church in Katy, Texas) - The enemy wants us to say, "It can't happen here" because then our guard is dropped (I Cor. 10:12). We must be careful about our interaction with culture, how we read difficult passages and the power of sin. Jesus warned that false teachers will come from outside the community of believers, hiding true intentions (Matt. 7:15-20). Peter warns of them coming from within (2 Peter 2:1). The scripture also speaks of disastrous results (Gal. 1:6-9; I Timothy 6:3-5). It may not be glaring but subtle. The first attack on man was, "Did God really say that?" 3 Danger avenues - (1) the desire for new teaching: We must be careful of those that claim they have a new understanding of scripture or can decipher meaning that no one else has discovered previously. Often this leads to confusion and changing the understanding of historical doctrines. We should be quick instead to look at the people in the past and how they have understood truth rather than re-inventing ways. [Here is one I saw recently.] (2) overreaction to error: Sometimes in people's attempt to quiet a false teaching on a Christian doctrine, they go too far in the other direction and along the way start teaching a different sort of false teaching. One example, Eutyches responding to false teaching on person of Christ, in understand how he is both human and divine taught that His divinity overwhelmed His humanity (later he denied this but followers had already started a movement on it). (3) the desire to avoid criticism: sometimes we start shying away from doctrines the world struggles with and in the process, start to teach doctrines in a different way (i.e. women leading men in the church, homosexuality, creationism, watered down gospel messages). Be careful we are not always simply accommodating the latest cultural thinking. 3 concerns remain - we need to have a love for the Bible, a love for reading and understanding the Scriptures and not simply a love to listen to the preaching of the Word; we need to seek opinion from others and leaders need to be part of a church or process where they are accountable; pastors and elders need to be well trained and willing to confront falsehood. 

False Teaching Out There and In There - Sean Michael Lucas (Senior pastor of Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN) - Heresies often began from a biblical platform, within the church. We can't simply say something is "biblical." In nearly every letter of the NT heresy is being exposed, like 1 Corinthians in which teachers denied the bodily resurrection of Jesus. The most common heresy under the guise of the gospel is moralism, the idea that once the true gospel is preached and it is, it is up to the believer to fly right. Thus God blesses those who live a good life. And as such our obedience is our pathway to financial success. It is a sort of prosperity gospel thinking. Legalism is another problem that teaches that certain types of obedience earn favor with God. There are these type of verses like "Love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)" but this love is in response to the love of God shown in Jesus Christ not loving in order to gain acceptance or good measure. Antinomianism is another problem because it denigrates the role of imperative in scripture. While obedience doesn't earn favor, we do need to be careful in our obedience and follow what scripture says like being involved at church, attending and serving, exercising church discipline. And then also cultural messages. Examples - God and country gospel thinking our country is a redeemer nation, but we must distinguish God's kingdom from America. Another looks at races or "blood" being distinguished from other races, but Jesus divides the wall to make one humanity (Eph. 2:14-16).  In addition, culture is legitimizing sins and the church often won't speak of those things - homosexual marriage, gender exchange, sex before marriage, cohabitation before marriage - in the process people define these as they see fit. A no hell false teaching is also more pervasive as all faiths become acceptable avenues to God. Thus, corporate worship must include the preaching of God's word, all of it. Rather than topical messages, we need to preach through books of the Bible, allowing the books to determine the messages. We need to include the Old Testament in this, show how all is necessary. Also, some messages are too encouraging focused, but we need to be challenged, remembering 2 Tim. 4:2 to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." Church work is laboring for the gospel, but also laboring for all the messages of the Bible. God's word is the beset means for growing solid Christians. 

False Teaching and the Peace and Purity of the Church - Eric Landry (Senior pastor of Redeemer Church in Austin, Texas) - As has been mentioned false teaching often takes place within the church walls. Author mentions a couple getting involved in leadership that did not accept any marriage after divorce and that all remarried couples should separate. The Pastor confronted them stating they were disrupting the church and the people's doctrine not in line with the church. We need to not be lax but also not have a state of paranoia. Churches need to have high standards for leadership. Leaders need to watch what they are quoting in sermons and teachings, making sure the writers line up with their theology. Church leaders need to visit other classes and make sure teaching lines up with church teaching. And finally gather together regularly for praying and teaching sessions. We need to work for the peace and purity of the church. 

Teaching the Truth - John MacArthur (Pastor teach of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA) - We are reminded that the pastor of a church has many expectations placed on Him - to counsel, visit people. share the gospel regularly, be available to people regularly in the church. And studying the Word in preparation for teaching is assumed to just to happen. But the pastor or shepherd or elder must be a person that has giftedness for teaching. The pastor is to teach faithfully and not succumb to tickling people's ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4). 

Christian Friends - James L. Harvey III (Senior pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Newark, Delaware) - Finding a friend is finding someone that you share a common interest or insight and this can lead to a warm and lasting resonance between two people. We can have non-Christian friends, but between Christians, we always have Someone in common, and these friendships experience further closeness when we can safely share how we can be in encouraged to follow Christ - and thus the culture of friendship shifts from mundane talk to "What? You too? I thought I was the only one." 

Confessing Jesus with Your Mouth - Steffen Muelller (Church planting pastor of Gospel Church Munchen in Munich, Germany) - Went through two year confirmation as a kid in South Germany, received "confirmation Bible verse" which for some is their life verse. I was given Matthew 10:32: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” Over the years, it has reminded him of the importance of talking about Jesus in our conversations, as we converse with people in all walks of life. There is no salvation apart from Christ and so Jesus needs to be front and center in our lives. 

Abiding In Christ - Jon D. Payne (Senior minister of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, SC) - As I study John, I see he repeatedly mentions believing in Him, and then in John 15 he remarks that are to abide in Him. It seems this moves beyond belief to a faith in Him that overshadows our faith or belief in anyone else. Thus, I cling to Christ through His word, sacraments, and prayer. It is to devote myself continually to Word of God teaching, fellowship, praying and living my faith daily, speaking to all the faith I have in Him. It is devoting myself to all things that are written in this Book. 

Palm Trees and Tent Pegs - Rebecca Vandoodewaard (Author and Mother) - The nurturing instinct for women is God given, and so is the instinct to fight. We are to engage both. Example Deborah, holding court under a palm tree and sorting out people's disputes (thus, nurturing/maternal). She is prophetess and judge. But also leads an army (Judges 4:14). Also Jael, stay-at-home wife of a Kenite, also with a nurturing, fighting spirit. "When the army beats Sisera, general of the Canaanites, he flees from the Israelite settlements and finds himself at Jael's door. She realizes who he is, and her nurturing, fighting spirit is clear. She gives him a warm drink, tucks him into bed, and hammers his head to the ground." Fighting as well as nurturing is a part of spiritual survival. 

Peaceful Feelings - Robert Rothwell (Associate editor of Tabletalk Magazine) - As feeling of anxiety come our way and trouble, we are looking for peace to settle us. As Jesus looked to the cross, he sensed trouble (John 12:27). He agonized over it (Luke 23:39-46). And yet he had an objective of peace still as He knew He would accomplish God's will. But he did not go forward with peace or how he felt at the time, but went forward looking to peace. Sometimes we experience trouble or agony when setting out on an objective. We go forward because of what the Lord has commanded and told us, knowing that even with lack of peace He will be glorified. 

Working out Your Salvation - Hywel R. Jones (Professor emeritus of practical theology at Westminster Seminary California) - Philippians 2:12-13 has perplexed many (though I think it to be consistent with Ephesians 2:10 - work follows faith). The problem is many take the word salvation to mean that we must work for this. Salvation does not always refer to admission into His kingdom. Working out was not just a individual charge but a global church charge. Remember, sanctification occurs only because God is already at work and lives in the believer. Thus this verse presupposes that salvation has already occurred. Verse 13 is the key for it mentions God is at work in us. It is His work in us that brings God glory, not our work independent of God. Thus salvation has already occurred prior to this command but we still need to follow through on good deeds all the days of our lives. 

Attending Corporate Worship - Jared Wilson (Director of Content Strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO) - Hebrews 10:24-25 commands us to be in fellowship each week? We grow in our faith this way, exercising spiritual gifts. (1) Attendance is an encouragement to others - presence is impressive and communicates even if we don't - people notice you are there and then the plus is having a kind word or helping hand; (2) Attendance is a rebellion against self-sovereignty - stifling the selfish human desire for autonomy - it is His will be done, not ours - it is helpful to our growth; (3) Attendance is a witness to your neighbors - going to church is countercultural - no rest is better than being with Jesus; (4) - Attendance is a foretaste of heaven - people gathering despite differences to celebrate their union with Christ and their unity in Christ. It is the most heavenly thing we can do. 

Generosity as Witness - Randy Alcorn (Founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries) - Giving follows grace. In our giving and generosity to those in need that the world notices. In Acts 2:45-47 this resulted in people getting saved. We don't give to get noticed but it is true that our light should shine through our good works. There are countless examples of natural disasters that occur and result in the action of God's people to help those in need. 

A Good Mystery - Michael Allen (John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL) - The Mystery of Faith has been spoken throughout the ages. In Bible times, there were many gods present. Our Lord God must be different; He must strangely glorious. He is incomprehensible. 

My Utmost for His Highest - April 3rd - If Thou Hadst Known

 saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. - Luke 19:42

Jesus had entered into Jerusalem in triumph, the city was stirred to its foundations; but a strange god was there, the pride of Pharisaism; it was religious and upright, but a "whited supulchre. (Matthew 23:27)"

What is it that blinds me in this "my day"? Have I a strange god-but a disgusting monster; but a disposition that rules me? More than once God has brought me face to face with the strange god and I thought I should have to yield, but I did not do it. I got through the crisis by the skin of my teeth and I find myself in the possession of the strange god still; I am blind to the things which belong to my peace. It is an appalling thing that we can be in the place where the Spirit of God should be getting at us unhinderedly, and yet increase our condemnation in God's sight.

"If thou hadst known" -- God goes direct to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind. These words imply culpable responsibility; God holds us responsible for what we do not see. "Now they are hid from thine eyes"--because the disposition has never been yielded. The unfathomable sadness of the "might have been!" God never opens doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut, doors which need never have been shut, imaginations which need never have been sullied. Never be afraid when God brings back the past. Let memory have its way. It is a minister of God with its rebuke and chastisement and sorrow. God will turn the "might have been" into a wonderful culture for the future.

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

John 4:19 - Christ Our Prophet

John 4:19

The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet."

Message: Christ Our Prophet

Time: This gospel does not identify the author, unlike Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but their is evidence of his authorship from early Christians. The book was written between 85 and 95 AD. John wrote so that his readers might "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God," so that they may have life in His name. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

I like to start each message with a summary of what has occurred up to this point. I am reading from Tabletalk devotional and studying currently the key biblical doctrine of Christ Alone, solus Christus and Jesus is the one that saves. I am looking at the different attributes of Jesus. Jesus was divine which means that Jesus is God; He is the God-man or the God that became man. And just as He is God, He is also the God-man, in that He has a human nature. We read about Jesus having the qualities of man (hunger, needing rest, not knowing future events, being tempted). Jesus is called the Last Adam. Adam was our federal head - his sin ushered in all sin to every man. Jesus makes all alive now for those who are in Christ. Israel was called by God to be His messenger, but Israel did not fulfill this, but Jesus did so Jesus is the true Israel; and Jesus is Messiah as messiah is spoken of in the Bible as one who delivers and rescues people. 

So this is who Christ is, now what has Christ done? He has done the work for us. The reason He is different and the reason He has rescued and delivered us is because he has been obedient like no other. His obedience is described as active and passive. Active means Jesus lived a perfect life - which means He was always obedient to the Law of God- the commandments, which is unlike any other person. And his obedience is also described as passive. Passive is a strange term. He actively suffered and died on the cross for our sins and this means he paid the penalty for sin, he took care of our debt to God. The debt was paid and His good works are transferred to us. In Christ is payment for the debt and eternal life in God via Christ's obedience. 

And Jesus shows us this from childhood on. From an early age, the gospels describe His obedience. he was obedient in being baptized; he was tempted in the same way we are but he always went through the temptation on top, sinless. And Jesus was obedient to the Law, fulfilling every commandment. 

Thus, we have seen who He is and what He has done and now we look at how He is described. One of the ways Jesus is understood or conceptualized is as Prophet, Priest and King. In this lesson, we look at Christ our Prophet. 

The woman at the well addressed Jesus as a prophet and He did not correct her. A prophet is one that speaks for God, by divine inspiration. Jesus has always spoken with authority and to me spoke with compassion and told people exactly what they needed to hear. But Jesus is not simply God on this earth, that he walked but all of God's word puts forth the words of Jesus. He speaks to us in every word of the Bible. His teaching is perfect. He has a wisdom unlike any other. His words never fail. 

On a side note, the prophet distinction in history is filled with false prophets. In Islam it is seen in Muhammed and Mormonism has Joseph Smith, but so many others. I think at times the Pope is a False Prophet and other cults begin with someone who comes in and says he has a special access to God, but I don't think anyone has declared himself the way Jesus has.  

Promise: A true Prophet's words are absolutely trustworthy and His words never fail to accomplish His purposes.   

Prayer: Lord, thank you always for the words you have spoken throughout history, words that bring healing to our lives, direction, guidance, and always peace. You have shown us the meaning of life always and I praise you for guiding me all these years and keeping the Word of God fresh in my life. It is never dull. Thank you for speaking through other people in my life as well. Keep me close to Your Word O God. I pray that people would see You as You are and accept Your words and teachings. Keep bringing me understanding of You God. Thank you for being the only true Prophet. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

- The Divine Nature of Christ, The Human Nature of Christ, Jesus the Last Adam, Jesus the True Israel, Jesus the Messiah, Obedience in Childhood, Obedience in Baptism, Obedience in Temptation, Obedience under the Law, Obedience in Suffering, Christ Our Prophet

Jeremiah 23:23-34 - Divine Omnipresence

Jeremiah 23:23-34
23 23 “Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord,
“And not a God far off?
24 “Can a man hide himself in hiding places
So I do not see him?” declares the Lord.
“Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord.

Message: Divine Omnipresence

Time: The Chaldeans (Babylonians) are besieging Jerusalem. Nubuchadnezzar is king of Babylon. Zedekiah is the last king of Judah before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC.

What the Lord is Saying:

Yesterday, I studied God's infinite ways and that He is beyond measure. Man is a finite being with a clear beginning, but man's spirit has no end. Our human bodies have a beginning and end. Our soul lives on forever. God is a different sort of being. He is separate from man and it seems that this is something that man has a hard time to wrap around.

God's omnipresence is something I began to touch on yesterday. God fills all creation. He is everywhere present. No matter where we go, He is there. He can be in many places (or all places) at once. This is an amazing thought. My mind can't help but want to figure this out. It's not that God is like a gas because God is immaterial. 

His presence is not any greater in one place than the other. 

Here in Jeremiah 23, the Lord is giving a bitter indictment of the leaders of God's people. False prophets were the greatest hindrance to the acceptance of Jeremiah's preaching. responding to words from false prophets and correcting them. The Lord says in verse 16 - Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you.They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord. I notice in life that we are often a people of shortcuts. When it comes to the subjects of politics and religion, we seem to be quicker to listen to the opinions of others rather than seeking out truth from the source. In politics, we often listen to the news or what others are saying. In religion, rather than studying God's word on our own we listen to the opinions of others. In so doing we end up extra biblical opinions. God is calling out the false prophets and stating that they do not speak from the Lord. 

The Lord responds to the false prophets because they acted like he was far away-“Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “And not a God far off?" The atheist states there is no God and therefore man can do whatever he wishes without being concerned that anyone is watching. This is what man would like to think. The idea that someone is watching not only our actions, but what we are thinking and devising in our heart is not an appealing idea for we all know therefore that we have been found out, discovered, for who we really are. And then the fact that God loves us in spite of this should make us drop to our knees ever more. 

Promise: God is omnipresent and sees through all of our false claims that he is not near.

Prayer: Lord, it is comfort to know you are near, when I need you. But, it can also not be a comfort because many times my thoughts and actions do not glorify You. I often try to pretend that you are not near. I take advantage of your forgiving ways. I focus too much on how things make me feel rather than leaning on your everlasting arms and accepting what You provide. Lord, I pray that I would live a life that is pleasing to you. Forgive me for thinking I can get away from you. I want to stay close by your side, no matter who I am taking with, no matter the situation I am in. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Mark 13:21-23 - False Signs and Wonders

Mark 13:21-23
21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

Message: False Signs and Wonders

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is giving now what mean have called the Olivet Discourse. He is on the Mount of Olives and pronouncing a prophecy centrally about the destruction of the temple, something that occurs in AD 70. He is preparing the disciples for events that will occur and their faith should not bend, they can continue to trust God for the outcomes. But, Jesus is being specific - false teachers will be present, religious leaders will also persecute believers, but we are to continue proclaiming the name of Jesus, and finally the believers will need to flee the city of Jerusalem for their lives to be spared.

In verses 5 and 6 Jesus mentions See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many, giving a warning about false Messiahs. This is a warning even in our own day. At several times in scripture we are warned of these false teachers:

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
• Acts 20:28-30 - Be on guard for yourselves...I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
• 2 Peter 3:17 - You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness
• I John 4:1-3 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

False teachers will always be present in our age. These are teachers inside our own churches and outside. I think God has given people a desire for spiritual things, but salvation is also a personal thing and Jesus is clear we are not only born physically, but we also must be born of the Spirit by the Spirit of God (John 3). That birth is personal and requires personal evaluation, but we are also relational people and we tend to often run with what others are doing rather than evaluating ourselves. Thus, we listen to quickly often to others who many times have selfish reasons for their positions. Jesus has been calling attention to people's motives recently and how we must be careful. 

No one is exempt from this, as Jesus mentions in verse 22 - in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. Even the elect will try to be led astray. Jesus talks also about signs and wonders, something that Moses echoed in Deuteronomy 13:1-5. People will be drawn away by miraculous looking events - for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders. I believe this is becoming more and more difficult. One we have the enemy drawing people away by preaching that he is king of this world and we are focusing more on entertainment, safety, comfort, a life free of diseases, and ease. Then we also have the danger of those selling truth and in spiritual ways leading people away. It take great effort to not just acquiesce into the many forces swirling around us, but to remain firm in our faith. 

Summary - This passage is primarily to the Jewish Christians at this time for after the Romans invaded the city, false teacher would implore them not to flee, but to stay. Many were following Jesus because of His signs and wonders and these events would be duplicated, but Jesus had a more significant message of love, forgiveness, faith in God, repentance, person contrition and obedience that they couldn't miss. And we need this truth today as well. 

Promise: The truth of a teacher's words is determined not by the feats he can perform but by the orthodoxy of what he teaches (Tabletalk, October 10, 2016)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the truth that You reveal to me and giving me a discerning heart. Thank you for the many wonderful teachers you have given us from previous generations, that have given true meaning to the scriptures. Help me to stay careful of who I listen to and direct me to those that are upholding truth correctly. I pray that everyone will have this same quest. Remove the deception from my family and friends. Train us in Your Word. Keep me on the alert. 

Romans 16:18 - Signs of the False Teacher

Romans 16:18 - For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Message: Signs of the False Teacher

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Background
After Paul gives greetings to various people in the first 16 verses of Chapter 16, he now turns his attention to a warning for the congregation in Rome. He asks them to take notice, continually, of false teachers. Where there is truth, there is also falsehood. And so, as a believer in Christ, I need to be careful about the people that are claiming to be members of the family of God, for their motives may not always be pure.

Serving our Lord Jesus Christ
Paul states that the real motive or intent of those individuals is not to server our Lord Christ. Therefore, that is my chief desire. It is to serve the Lord Christ in all I do. It is the reason for everything I do. I am doing it throughout my life. And I admit that sometimes I can't handle the stress, but I want to look to God for help. I pray that my persona and attitude would not be downward. It has been downward lately. It has not been up. My serving has become a burden at times. I have become anxious, instead of waiting for God to take care of the outcome. I have, instead, predetermined a poor outcome. Forgive me Lord.

Serve their own appetites
Paul states that the motive people have is to please themselves. It is to nourish themselves. Instead of "Give this day our daily bread" and being thankful for what God has provided and realizing that it is God who provides, these people instead are interested in serving their own appetites. I am always reminded of that verse in Proverbs 3:5 that says, "Do not lean on your understanding." The problem with this false teachers is they lean on their own understanding.

I see this with a friend who is an Atheist and talks to me. He is leaning on his own understanding and being defined by it. It is easy to do and while it amazes me, I should not ever be-little him for those thoughts. This world I live in trains us with messages of "Have it your way" or "Just do it." We are trained often in the idea that our appetites and serving there are what is most important.

Smooth talk and flattery
The false teachers presentation is smooth. The false teacher knows how to use the write words to coerce people. This is the other hard part of all of this. People get duped. People get swayed easily. People don't think, they just go along. These teachers have smooth talk and flattery. They know what to say and how to say in order to get their appetite served.

The false teacher is often very charismatic, showing a lot of emotion. They move away from the true doctrine in very subtle manners, often hanging on to key doctrinal points. And if they are attacked, they spit back the Bible with words of "Do not judge" or "how is this showing unity."

Deception
This is the scary part in all of this. This is not just momentary swaying of people in a certain direction. But this is deception. Deception is seeing a lie as truth. And once something gets defined as truth in a persons life, it is difficult to be swayed in another direction. Both of sides of the truth, deception and not, stand at either end amazed that the person on the other side can believe what they believe. That is the scary part of deception. It is holding onto what you think is the best way, with the hope it is the best way. And it reminds me that people will only be drawn to truth when God draws them (John 6:44). The believer in Christ, therefore, has a duty -- to pray for God's drawing of people or persons.

The hearts of the naive
People are naive. Or people can be naive. It is the naive that we must be most sensitive to in the preaching of the gospel. I must be careful that I am not more focused on the intellectual person rather than being focused on the naive. It is hard to change the heart of a hardened person, but the naive can be swayed easily. And the problem is, once they are swayed they become deceived and it will be hard to get them back.

Promise: Let us seek to speak the truth. And have the wisdom to run from those that, we feel, are walking away from it.

Romans 16:17 - Avoiding False Teachers

Romans 16:17 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Message: Avoid false teachers

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying: 

Paul has spent the first 16 verses giving a greeting to those individuals he wanted to call special attention towards and, for this chapter, this verse now is his first admonition or teaching towards them. 

Watch Out
This message is again directed toward his brothers in Christ and he appeals to them. The important thing I hear is "Watch out." Do not simply accept everyone at face value. I need to realize that many people will sound Christian and put on a good presentation but will begin to offer something that is contrary to the doctrine taught. This is rampant in our day and age. People have motives and appeal to emotions and begin to get people off track. They distort the truth. The important thing is to watch out and then avoid them. We are not to allow these ideas any air time, but we are to turn ourselves from them. 

This isn't just a momentary watching, but it is an always present watching out. We are to continually pay careful attention to what is being said. This is hard because in religion particular we don't want to read the Word ourselves and for many centuries the Catholic church even encouraged people to not read it themselves. Instead, people are spoon fed and the problem lies in not knowing people true disposition toward the Word of God. When not examining it yourselves, then confusion occurs and this confusion is real and rampant. 

It is one thing to have people differ on the type of baptism that is the best (infant, age of accountability, adult, sprinkling, immersion), but it is another thing to present an idea that people get a second opportunity for the gospel after they die or that prophets still exist today that can give people new truth. It is difficult to know the difference sometimes, especially when we are leaning on leaders to guide us. 

Avoid them
Does Paul say we are to spend our time talking about them? No. Does he say we are to slander them? No. Does he say we are to excommunicate them? No. We are to avoid them. We are to turn to truth and right doctrine and stay immersed in those things. Our tendency in life is to see something we don't like and tell the whole world why we don't like it. Our focus should be on being about the truth of God and immersing ourselves in it so that people only see that in our lives. 

I think this means that sometimes it is fine for a Christian to not give the false teacher, like the JW or Mormon any air time at their front door. It is very well possible that a weaker person in the faith needs to just not listen. It is only the strong that may be able to speak to the person, to hopefully show them their error. Evangelism is often testifying of the truth that a person has in them. It is defending their faith. It is not necessarily indoctrinating oneself in what other people believe. Not everyone it as the same level spiritually. 

The Greek word ekklino gives the idea of avoiding prickly shrubs. It is a soldier running away or deserting. 

Overall, I think this is difficult because I have had a tendency to indoctrinate myself in other forms of thinking, in hopes of winning them over. I do not need to reading the Quran or the New World Translation or Book of Mormon. It is not necessary unless the Lord has given me a special calling and even in this, I must be careful. My goal is to be effective and useful in the Body of Christ. This means I must be sensitive at all times to God's word and not easily swayed by men. Even Christian men or Christian leaders. The truth is to reign in my life first and foremost. 

Promise: Stay close to God's word. Stay close to His truth. Lean on it and then practice the gifts he has given, making sure that the application of the gifts stays aligned with God's word and truths.

Romans 14:2-4 - Partaking and Abstaining

Romans 14:2-4 - ² One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. ³ The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. ⁴ Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Message: Disagreements in the Body

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

Romans 12 and 13 dealt with man's responsibility and now in Romans 14 I begin talk on Christian Liberty or how I am to conduct ourselves on matters that the Bible s not clear on. Yesterday, I looked at the differences that normally arise from people at different maturity levels in their faith and the disagreements that can arise. 

Disagreements are normal and it is interesting that Paul when talking about principles speaks of disagreements or differences in conviction that arise among people in the Body. I think this a very hard lesson in the Church today because I see that there are different denominations or many different non-denominations that have differences in points of emphasis. Many churches are looking at the same Bible and have the same basic view of salvation and yet conduct their churches in different manners. I think the big danger in a church is the belief that they are better than other churches and to be a true Christian then people must worship or do church in the way that they see it should be done. Obviously, I think people need to be sensitive to falsehood, but it is amazing that this often results in separation.  

I think we really must be careful in this because people can alienate non-believers with their disagreements. I can do this often. I think I just need to be careful in this, that I don't make a new believer think that there is only one church they should attend -- my church. 

Today's passage is a prime example as it deals with people with 2 different convictions - meat eaters and vegetable only eaters. The concern that erupts is not just that people have these differences, but that God only accepts people that have the right application to the right conviction. I think what concerns God is our heart attitude.

Promise:  From TableTalk, - taking time to understand one another can go a long way in helping to not judge one another inappropriately. 

Zechariah 13

Message: What will the return of Christ mean to Israel? Israel will be cleansed from her sin.

Time: Written after the Temple Was Completed circa 480-470BC

What the Lord is Saying:

On that day refers to the tribulation period, a future time, when Israel will be cleansed from their sins and impurity. Is Israel cleansed right now? Right now, they have rejected the Messiah and cleansing comes by faith, but the Lord has always promised restoration for His people and one day there will be restoration for all. Israel will come to repentance and a fountain of forgiveness will be released on them.

Romans 10:3 reminds us that people try to establish their own righteousness and this is what Israel or Jewish people are currently doing. They are trying to decide on their own the standard of righteousness and this is also the greatest problem of people at large today. Most people are deciding themselves what it means to be righteous. They are mapping out their own way to define this rather than submitting to the Lord. People set up rules and they set up codes and ways that must be followed. They have erected perfect churches and those people set the standard.

Jesus does not just clean us one time, but his cleansing is continual. We are continually forgiven. Forgiveness happens because of the blood of Jesus. It was one act and yet the cleansing keeps on happening (I John 1:9).

Verse 2 speaks of the fact that the spirit of impurity and the false prophets will be removed from the land. Those agents of evil will be no more. What an exciting day that will be. Sin will continue because men and women will remain, but the spirit which is constantly moving people away from Christ and instead toward the practice of just good works will be removed. To the point that in verse 3 that if a child tries to prophecy his parents will stab him to death. Even though there is no closer union than a parent/child, the hatred of false prophecy will override that.

Verse 4 is interesting because the outer garment that is worn to identity one as a prophet will be no more. It will be gone. There are so many garments that are worn that try to set people apart and show them as papal people and yet, often, those that wear it aren't true to the calling of Christ. But, at this time, those clothes will be removed. No one will want to even come close to being attributed to a prophet.

Verses 7-9 seems to be distinct from the previous verse because "on that day" in not mentioned. This shepherd will be struck down. The sheep will be scattered. Two-thirds will die, one-third remain. And that remaining third will be brought through the fire. They will be pure, refined, purified, and God will answer them and call them His people. This could be talking about Jesus and His Church, which we now live in.


Promise: God's People are cleansed

Ezekiel 13

Message: To the false prophets (both male and female) of Israel. To the inventors of prophecies. Maintain the purity of the Gospel. Rid false prophets from our midst.

Time: To Ezekiel, from the Lord.

What the Lord is Saying:
Many try to do the work of the Lord, by prophesying, but do not really have the gift. The false prophets will be banished from the community. They aren't honest with the people. They tell them all is well when there is no peace in the land.

Promise: The Sovereign Lord speaks. They will know that "I am the Sovereign Lord."