Revelation 20:1-6 - The Millennial Reign of Christ

Revelation 20:1-6 

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Message: The Millennial Reign of Christ

Time: John mentions himself 4 times as author. It was written around the year 95 on John's exile to the island of Patmos after preaching the gospel to Asia. Revelation comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling. The book is about the tribulation period with symbolic language, giving us the end of the story -- Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds of sin, reign for a thousand years on earth, then re-create the world into a place that represents God's original design.

What the Lord is Saying: Over the years, my study of Revelation has been brief. I listened to my favorite pastor, Tom Nelson, did a series on Revelation in 1990. And what stood out to me always was Revelation 2 and 3 and the message to the 7 churches for it had application, but the rest of the book has an almost fantasy or future feel to it that I have always struggled finding application in today. But, I also admit I haven't devoted much time to its study. It seems to be a text that has a lot of controversy and different interpretations as well and today's idea of the Millennium is probably chief in disputes. 

3 main views of the Millennium have been:

1. Premillennial - The 1,000 years mentioned is literal and actual and after this 1,000 years following Christ's return a new heavens and earth will arrive.  

2. Amillennial - The 1,000 years is figurative and represents the time between Christ's ascension and His return, thus we are living in the 1,000 years now. Once he returns, the new heavens and earth will arrive. During this time the gospel will be preached and many converted, but also many will resist.  

3. Postmillennial - The 1,000 years will also occur before Christ's return, but there will also be widespread peace and prosperity as a result of the preaching of the Gospel. Society will be transformed and people converted and then Christ will return. 

It is hard to say what is right, but it can be agreed that Christ will reign - I Corinthians 15:25 -- For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

Summary: Christ is ruling and reigning now and despite different views of the Millennial, we must remain united in Christ. 

Promise: No matter our views, we should all work together to proclaim the present reign of Christ and His command for all people to repent and bow to His lordship. 

Prayer: God, you are great and Your words are true. Thank you for the future and what You have in store for us. I am confident it is great and at the minimum I will see You one day. May lives continue to be changed for the Gospel and to Your Glory. Draw people to yourself. May hope remain in You and what You are doing. Thank you for the power of Your Word and Your Spirit to live in us and equip us for every good work. 

Romans 8:11 - The Resurrection of Our Bodies

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Message: The Resurrection of Our Bodies

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: Death is inevitable for each of us because of sin - Romans 5:12 - "death spread to all men, because all sinned." But it will be destroyed one day - I Corinthians 15:26 - "The last enemy that will be abolished is death." And yet, Christ Jesus, our God-man, defeated death. The good news is we can be aligned with Jesus through faith, through trusting in Him, believing what He has done for us. And that alignment means that at death we will be sealed with God forever. Without this sealing we are cursed to eternal punishment or separation from God. That's the sobering message- not all will be saved. Romans 5:17 -- "For if by the transgression (or offense) of the one, death reigned (set up shop with people for all time) through the one, much more those who receive (trust and make it apart of themselves) the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign (this life, but more importantly, eternal) in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

Today's verse shows us this - (my paraphrase) -- "The Holy Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead and that Holy Spirit that did that work dwells now in His called ones, those that are sealed, those that have believed. And so God who raised Jesus from the dead will give us life to our mortal bodies. As flesh, as people, death is our end, but God will give us life and move us from mortal to immortal, from flesh to divine. And again, why? Because of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us." The Holy Spirit makes us free. God makes us free. 

We are raised from the dead with Jesus. Once he was raised from the dead, our trusting and believing in Him, placed us with Christ to receive the benefits and rewards of being in Christ. 

Romans 15:20-23 - 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.

We are one in the same with Christ. Romans 6:4-5 -- "we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection." 

United. Unity. I keep getting reminded how important this unity is. Our future is based upon being united with Christ and so our future with people should be based upon the same thing and yet we are world in disunity or disharmony. There is no greater joy I think than being with people of the same accord. I love it at a football game at my college university because we all stand together united and cheering for our time. We have a similar mission. It is good to support your team on the road, but it is also odd because we are fish out of the water and in that moment we are immediately aligned with anyone that is also a visitor. But when we are at home, cheering, it is a great feeling to be united. And we enjoy this fellowship at church as well, being with like-minded people. We are a united front for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as believers in Christ. 

Going back to the resurrection we also see that Jesus changed in his appearance from walking on the earth to being resurrected. And so we would expect our resurrection as well to be similar. Mary Magdalene eventually recognized Jesus, but at first she did not. John 20:14 -- "she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus."

I Corinthians 15:42-57 mentions this change. It says, "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body." The change will occur - from perishable to imperishable. Everything in this life right now perishes, food, our car, houses, nothing lasts. But one day we will not perish. And we will all change: "we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Changed. What a glorious picture of our future state and yet in Christ, the change has already happened. We just don't see it yet, but God already sees it in us. 

Summary: At Christ was raised from the dead, so we in Christ are linked to Him by the Spirit living in us after receiving and trusting in Him - and so we will be resurrected to a new imperishable life with Christ for eternity. 

Promise: Sinners are looking to escape death, but the only way to do so is through resurrection unto eternal life, which is available only in Christ.

Prayer: O, my Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. I am linked and you have linked me to the rewards and benefits of being in Christ. Holy Spirit, I praise You for the truth that You are living in me. You dwell in me and because of that I reap all of the benefits that the Father has lavished on His Son, Jesus. Thank you for these truths and showing them to me. You are to be praised and glorified always. It is all for your glory, not mine. You deserve it. I will reap the benefits. I will always be changed. Thank you for the unity that pervades our lives and makes us of one accord. Keep helping us to be united more and to put off those differences. May our unity make us stand out. 

Philippians 1:21-23 - Death and the Intermediate State

Philippians 1:21-23

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

Message: Death and the Intermediate State

Time: Paul likely wrote this epistle at the end of his Roman imprisonment, around 61 or 62 AD. Paul wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the Philippian believers. Paul ministered at Philipi during his second missionary journey, spending about three months in the city and, later visited Philippi briefly on his third missionary journey.

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to study the glory of God, toward the end of this study I have now thought of the excitement of seeing God in His glory one day. These last days are under the doctrinal heading of eschatology. In thinking of the life of Jesus, the next event that we look forward to is Jesus' return or His Second Coming. For most, this will be experienced after our physical death, though many will experience it while they are living. 

Death is naturally not popular or not something we look forward to. Thus, it is almost right to hate death and prefer life. Materialists in our world today believe this life is all there is as this is a way for them to push out the notion of God. But for everyone else, the afterlife is a promise that we hold onto. Death is the result of sin. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." Death spread to all men because all sinned. 

In death, we lose the experience of the person in our lives. Most will have a funeral service that will include the body, otherwise we will have memorial services or now what is being called - celebration of life - services. Memorial seems like it is remembering versus celebrating. Either way, these services should be a time to think about the person's life and yet for the Christian it is also a time to look forward to better days. Today's passage reminds us that we are far better off from our present world to be with Christ - "and be with Christ, for that is very much better." 

In this we are reminded that we live now in our current state, and ultimately we will be in a final state, as resurrected persons with glorified souls and glorified physical bodies. These verses remind us of that promise:

Daniel 12:2 - Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Romans 6:5 - For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Romans 8:23 - And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

But before that final state is what we frame as an intermediate state and in this state we do not lose consciousness, live in the presence of Christ as spirits dwelling in perfect holiness in heaven, awaiting the resurrection. 

Summary: Before we arrive in the presence and glory of God, Christians, after death will be in an intermediate state in the presence of Christ. 

Promise: When people die their consciousness continues, either with Christ or in eternal conscious punishment. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the instruction today in understanding what awaits me after death and before your return. I pray that this understanding would be evident among all Christians everywhere. 

I John 3:2 - Seeing God as He Is

I John 3:2 

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

Message: Seeing God as He Is

Time: The author of this book never was identified but contemporaries have attributed it to John and its dating is estimated to be 90 AD. John focused on three issues: the zeal of the believers, standing firm against false teachers, and reassuring the Christians that they have eternal life. 

What the Lord is Saying: Much of my study thus far has been focused on the glory of God defined and what we know of it from God's perspective, what is summarized as the divine angle of glory. The ultimate thought is that everything in life is done for the Glory of God, for His glory. This is followed by how man interacts or testifies of God's glory and how that Glory impacts mankind. And in that glory that we can see or also is attributed to us is a glory we can see, but it is not the full glory. It is the human angle of glory. The culmination of this is to Seeing God as He Is. It is that ultimate moment that we are looking towards when we will see God and experience God from His angle. We will be able to see the bright light. 

The other day as we had our home fellowship time we went around the room and talked about what makes us smile. I mentioned my wife as being with her always is a smiling moment, but then I also mentioned experiences or the beauty of God's creation that makes me smile. Seeing God as He Is will bring a joy and happiness that I can't define in this present life. Right now, I only see pieces of this joy and happiness, moments like being with my wife or children or grandson. Moments when I see His creation and the beauty of it. But there are other temporal parts of my day and this world that distract me from this ultimate experience of Joy. 

Today's verse is that promise from I John 3:2 that "we as children of God, it (glory) has not appeared as yet what we will be." It is coming, but not yet. It is a promise and we have assurance of that promise for God has been faithful in our lives even now. 

Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

I Corinthians 13:12 - For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

Summary: Nothing is more satisfying than God Himself and our satisfaction will never be greater than when we see the beauty of divine glory face-to-face. 

Promise: Since He is the source of all that is good, true, and beautiful, to see the Lord face-to-face is to see goodness itself, truth itself, and beauty itself. 

Prayer: Lord, I look forward to that day. Remind me to look forward to that day when I will see you face to face. Remind me that the woes of this life and the stresses will go away. Perhaps Lord it is hard for me to comprehend that day right now because all I know is now. I am so grateful to the beauty of this day, but I also suffer little in this day. I am thankful for this, but as I listen to people experiencing loss of loved ones and also experiencing cancer and pain, perhaps it is easier for them to behold this idea of You. But Lord, impress it upon me and give me an urgency to communicate Your truth to others. 

Habakkuk 2:14 - The Coming Knowledge of God's Glory

Habakkuk 2:14 - “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

Message: The Coming Knowledge of God's Glory

Time: Habakkuk is mentioned 2 times and we know little of him (could be a professionally trained prophet in Law of Moses and/or a priest involved in worship). He mentions the imminent Babylonian invasion which probably puts the time period as 609 - 598 BC, in Jehoiakim's reign. Chapters 1 and 2 is an extended dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk was frustrated, but he took out his frustrating in prayers.

What the Lord is Saying: Another way that God has shown who He is and His glory is through His creation. I've always loved Romans 1 and it's clarity on this subject from Romans 1:18-20: 

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 

Even as we look up to the sky and heaven we see God's glory. Psalm 19:1 - The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

It is beautiful and poetic statement that God made Himself evident to everyone in creation. I feel everyone knows faith and belief in God is important and then people either spending their time trying to find a substitute or embrace this. But everyone has some knowledge of God and His creation. 

Today's passage from Habakkuk mentions a future day or predicts a day when this knowledge of God and His glory will fill our earth, in the same way the waters cover the sea. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." 

The context of today's passage from Habakkuk is referring to the judgment of God's enemies, which is Babylon and then the redemption of God's people, the Israelites, from exile. This redemption will reveal divine glory and marks how the entire earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. But in Isaiah 40-66 this rescue broadens to include a new heaven and earth. People will see glory when they see Jesus. 

Summary: Glory is seen by all people as creation testifies of the knowledge of God's Glory and is also seen as people turn their lives over to following Jesus.  

Promise: We are engaged in the greatest work possible are used by God to full prophecy when we seek to take the knowledge of God's glory in the gospel to all peoples. 

Prayer: Lord, I love to see how this world testifies of You, through creation, through people coming to know and follow You as Lord and every day as we look up and see the sky overhead and continue to discover more and more about this planet. It all points to You and it is an incredible picture of You. You are to be praised and glorified always. 

I Chronicles 16:28-34 - Ascribing Glory to God

I Chronicles 16:28-34

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him;

Worship the Lord in holy array.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;

For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Message: Ascribing Glory to God

Time: 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and focuses on David's reign though doesn't repeat David's sin with Bathsheba. It was written in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah or 538-333 BC while the Jews were dispersed throughout Persia, some having returned from Israel. The book lists genealogies, priests, Levites, armies, temple officials, and other leaders of various ministries and devotes significant attention to proper worship of Yahweh and adherence to the regulations of the Law. It focuses on obedience that results in God’s blessing, the priority of the temple and priesthood, and the unconditional promises to the house of David.

What the Lord is Saying: "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him." To ascribe is to attribute something to. A part of our purpose as His followers, His children is for me to identify glory due His name. It is to bring an offering before Him, which for me today, is to bring myself as a living sacrifice. 

Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I am to come before God unfettered or unrestrained or with no association to anything else. 

“How is the body to become a sacrifice? Let thine eye look upon no evil thing, and it hath become a sacrifice; let thy tongue speak nothing filthy, and it hath become an offering; let thy hand do no lawless deed, and it hath become a whole burnt offering. But this is not enough, we must do good works also; let the hand do alms, the mouth bless them that despitefully use us, and the ear find leisure evermore for the hearing of Scripture. For sacrifice can be made only of that which is clean; sacrifice is a first fruit of other actions. Let us, then, from our hands, and feet, and mouth, and all our other members, yield a first fruit unto God” (St. John Chrysostom - 347-407 AD)

When I pray, I often close with the request to give glory to God, in everything I say, in everything I do. This is the plea of me. My goal is to live in such a way that I should never have to apologize. For me, it is to have patience when people are talking and to not hope that they would not talk anymore. It is to accept people's words without inside thinking, "I'll show them." I am finding that there is a lot of patience in doing good. It is serving my wife, my father, without wishing I didn't have to serve him. It is also to do all of these things without complaining, without making fun of him behind his back. It is speaking always with the idea that the person I am speaking about is in front of me, hearing what I am saying. O God, so much of how I live and breathe and operate is thinking I am holy and yet speaking in a dishonoring way about others. And then it is also doing. It is calling Scott when I think about it versus just continuing to bury those thoughts. I think of telling people that I don't respond to them when I am busy. Does this busy including sitting in front of the TV for multiple hours watching TV? Last night I told my oldest son something that he did not find welcome, but at least I voiced it without just speaking about him behind his back. 

This is how I am to live, because I want to give glory to God. I am not to live like this with the motivation of gaining acceptance by God. 

James 1:16-17 -- Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

This is how I am to live. It is not simply showing up at a service and lifting my hands up to show I am praising God. It is that, but so much more. 

Summary: In the way I live - speak, look, act - my life is to ascribe to God the glory due Him. 

Promise: We do not design worship for unbelievers but for the glory of God and the edification of His people.

Prayer: O Lord, how wicked I am and holy that You are. For me to truly give glory to You, I must yield my entire life to You. I want to do this. I will fail, but I have a goal to glorify You in all I do and say which includes my thoughts. Lord you deserve this and I pray my life is honoring to You. 

John 17:22 - The Church as the Glory of God

John 17:22 - The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;

Message: The Church as the Glory of God

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to look at the Human Angle of God's Glory or rather How God's glory is visible outside of Himself, but in relation to Him, I have studied His Glory as Creator, in salvation, in judgment, through Christ, and today also through the Church. 

As I looked at yesterday, Jesus Himself is the radiance of God's glory and today, I find out that the glory Jesus receives the Father, He gives also to us. Jesus is speaking to us about unity. He has a unity with God and He desires us to have this same unity with God the Father and Jesus. It is clear that unity is very important and this unity happens through receiving the glory of God. And yet the glory that is shared is not divine glory because that is a glory that no man can be in the presence of and live (currently as sinners before God). And so the glory that has been passed onto us must be a different type of glory. It is a glory that is marred, and yet over time seems to be a glory that will grow. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. - So the glory of God can be seen in us and yet over time we are being transformed into the same image (Genesis 1:26). 

This glory is a derived glory. It comes to us and so is not a part of us until Jesus gives it to us. The church can then be referred to as the Glory of God and as we are seen to those in the world, it could be that the Light which Jesus describes as us, is this Light from the Glory of God. 

Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

I have never thought about this light being a manifestation of the bright light of the glory of God and so a light that the World can see. Scripture also speaks of the church as a lampstand (Revelation 1).  Our light glorifies the Father. 

Summary: We receive a derived glory from Jesus and we the Church are to be a light to our world, all in unity. 

Promise: As we love one another and enjoy God’s presence in our midst, our light shines before others, and they are directed to the Lord in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, you have illuminated me in the reading of Your word as you daily do. Thank you for the glory that I have received from You. And for showing me that I am a light to our world because you are the light. Thank you for giving me Your Glory as a light and I pray that we, the church, would shine bright You and we would rightly glorify You. Show us how we need to be united for the purpose of giving Glory to God and testifying before mankind of Your love. The unity that we need to have is for the purpose of showing people the Gospel of Jesus and how You change lives. 

Hebrews 1:3 - Christ the Glory of God

Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Message: Christ the Glory of God

Time: Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They'd done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews feared that they might now turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution. The opinions on the author of Hebrews has varied.

What the Lord is Saying: As I have looked at previously, God's glory is a bright light and His glory is all consuming that we cannot look upon directly and see without being put to death on this earth, namely because we are imperfect and with sin. But today's passage points us to a way we see the glory of God: through Jesus. "And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His (God the Father's) glory and the exact representation of His (God the Father's) nature." Christ is God incarnate for "God highly exalted Him (Phil 2:9)." 

And yet what I have studied and seen is a bright light and not being able to look upon God directly, so how were people able to see Jesus? It was only at His transfiguration as discussed in Matthew 17:1-2 that Peter, James and John witnessed the light of God's glory. 

And so God's glory was veiled in Jesus while He walked the earth and yet we see and people witnessed other attributes of divinity. And so it is for us as we read and study God's word, we get a glimpse through Jesus as well of His divine glory and attributes. 

Summary: We can know God's divine glory by knowing Jesus and reading about Him in God's word. 

Promise: And as we grow in our knowledge of Christ, we will also grow in our longing to see the fullness of the divine glory.

Prayer: Thank you God for these lessons on Glory and discovering the meaning of Your Glory and that we see God's glory also in the person of Jesus Christ. And every day as I read and study God's word I am witness of this glory. Help me to understand this better and point people to Jesus with my life, the way I live it and speak of You and what You are doing. 

Isaiah 66:15-24 - God's Glory in Judgment

Isaiah 66:15-24
15 For behold, the Lord will come in fire
And His chariots like the whirlwind,
To render His anger with fury,
And His rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For the Lord will execute judgment by fire
And by His sword on all flesh,
And those slain by the Lord will be many.
17 “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens,
Following one in the center,
Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice,
Will come to an end altogether,” declares the Lord.

18 “For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory. 19 I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. 20 Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a grain offering to the Lord, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 I will also take some of them for priests and for Levites,” says the Lord.

22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth
Which I make will endure before Me,” declares the Lord,
“So your offspring and your name will endure.
23 “And it shall be from new moon to new moon
And from sabbath to sabbath,
All mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the Lord.
24 “Then they will go forth and look
On the corpses of the men
Who have transgressed against Me.
For their worm will not die
And their fire will not be quenched;
And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.”

Message: God's Glory in Judgment

Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.

What the Lord is Saying: Tabletalk magazine for today's reading offers 3 basic ways peopole know the one true God: 

1. As Creator - God made the world and reveals Himself in the world. People have some sense of His attributes and therefore some knowledge that He is Lord of Glory (Psalm 19; Romans 1:18-32). 

2. Those who trust in Christ alone for salvation know the one true God as Savior. As sinners, they know God's mercy and then have a better understanding of His glory (Romans 9:22-24)

3. Impenitent sinners or sinners with no regret for their actions, know God not as Savior but only as Judge. They know their sin and that judgment is coming (Romans 2:1-16). 

Today's passage speaks of this judgment. And for this text in Isaiah, it is fairly clear. 

"The Lord...will render His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. For the Lord will execute judgment by fire and by His sword on all flesh, and those slain by the Lord will be many."  When I ready these words I think of the text in Deuteronomy 32:25, "Vengeance is Mine." For many, this is wrath and judgment people want to see that the Lord will have because we tire of the evil in our world and yet we so quickly look at other's evil and not our own. 

"Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the center, who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice, will come to an end altogether,” declares the Lord." - At first glance this verse almost sounds like a verse beginning to speak of faithful people, but instead it is speaking of those enemies of His Church and those who use the name of God for their own glory. And those people that purify themselves, almost making a mockery of God or finding other ways to make themselves feel worthy or holy. And the reality is these will be judged as well. 

"For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory." - This is clear. God knows. He knows their works and their thoughts. He knows. And they will see God's glory. God's glory will be seen one day by all people. This is a sobering truth. "All mankind will come to bow down before Me." 

And so God's glory will be seen on that day, on His judgment day. It will be very clear. More clear than probably people want to admit or will want to see. 

Summary: God's glory in judgment will be clearly seen in the end. 

Promise: Let us give glory to God for His justice and pray that the day on which that justice is fully revealed comes quickly. 

Prayer: O God you are good and your ways are right and true. Thank you for showing me in your word Your judgment and that it is coming. I think I want to see this come and yet I need to keep my compassion at the forefront. I hate to see the despicable sin in this world and yet I know in your eyes, my sin is equal. So help me to have mercy and forgiveness for people. And give me patience in helping understand people and their sin and the error of their ways and how they have been tricked into believing something about themselves that is not true.  

Romans 9:22-24 - God's Glory in Salvation

Romans 9:22-24 

22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

Message: God's Glory in Salvation

Time: Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying: Salvation is a manifestation of God's glory. And He alone will receive the glory because God will not share His divine glory. Today's passage is compelling for it reveals much about God and what He does and did in saving sinners. It contrasts two types of people - "vessels of wrath" and "vessels of mercy" to display two works of God - the work of demonstrating His wrath for sinners and then also showing mercy for sinners. Whether in demonstrating wrath or showing mercy, he shows His power. 

This is a most interesting passage that I have studied before. It is a sobering truth that some people are on a course of wrath and others on a course for mercy. Only the divine agent knows the difference. And yet God commissions us to share the gospel with everyone, to be involved. But in people's salvation, it is the work of God and His mercy. He shows this mercy in saving us. And yet, His wrath also shows His glory for it shows His justice. For the saved, they will display works of righteousness and God will be glorified through their words and action. For the unsaved, they will display works of destruction and God will not be glorified through their words and actions. Redemption for some and wrath for others, but in both instances God is glorified. His ways are right and true. 

The point today, in this passage, is to remind us that God's Glory is displayed in Salvation. In yesterday's lesson we saw His glory made known through creation as God is creator. Man cares for creation and God can even work through man to give him the ability to discover, but ultimately God is our creator. In the same way He saves mankind and He is the author of salvation and the one He saves. Like creation, God involves people and commissions us to make disciples. 

Summary: God's Glory is evident in salvation as His glory is shown both on those He shows mercy and those that receive wrath. 

Promise: Mediate on the riches of God's grace today so that you will see more clearly the riches of God's glory. 

Prayer: O Lord God, you are good and gracious. Your ways are right and true. Lord, I do not understand the intricacy of salvation but I surrender to You always for I know that Your word reminds me that You God save sinners while also judge sinners. I see the difference in some are vessels of wrath and others vessels of mercy. But both are your actions. You are glorified and so I praise You and worship You. I look at myself and the wicked man I am, the sinner, and am amazed at your kindness. Thank you for changing me and giving me a desire for truth and working through me. Be glorified. 

Revelation 4:11 - God's Glory as Creator

Revelation 4:11

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

Message: God's Glory as Creator

Time: John mentions himself 4 times as author. It was written around the year 95 on John's exile to the island of Patmos after preaching the gospel to Asia. Revelation comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling. The book is about the tribulation period with symbolic language, giving us the end of the story -- Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds of sin, reign for a thousand years on earth, then re-create the world into a place that represents God's original design.

What the Lord is Saying: In the study of God's glory, I now move to a study from a "human angle" or the human response to divine glory. For instance, Joshua 7:19 records, "Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.” 

To give glory to God is to treat Him in the way that He deserves. I still think I am too selfish often in the way I treat God. I use God's name for my benefit. And I am discovering more and more that God is to be praised, no matter what is going on in my life. But in giving glory to God we are not adding to His glory. He is sufficient and has all that He needs. But in giving glory, we are acknowledging that He is all. 

Today's passage in Revelation 4:11 mentions, "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power." And there is a reason today for Him to receive glory and honor and power. It is because, "You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." I am to give God glory because He created all things. He is creator. Everything exists because of His will. Everything is created because of His will. When I see creation, I should automatically go to praise God, giving Him glory and honor for that which He has created. 

Hebrews 11:3 - 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.

I recently made a visit to the islands of Hawaii, specifically Kauai and took a helicopter ride and being up there in the air and seeing the land below, the green land, the mountains and their formation and all the beautiful colors, it was exhilarating. I beheld the beauty of God and His creation like never before. It was like I was seeing it for the first time, and granted, this place I was seeing it for the first time. And unfortunately I too quickly started wondering how it was formed. I wondered about this age of earth discussion and how it had arrived. But I need to squash that thinking and simply be amazed at what God has created. I can simply view God's creation and be amazed by it and thank Him for it, giving Him the glory and honor He deserves. It doesn't have to be about me. It can be only about Him. 

Summary: God possesses great Glory as the creator of all things. He is worthy to receive glory from us. 

Promise: Nothing would exist if God had not created the universe, so we should regularly give the Lord glory for His creation, for making us and for making everything that we enjoy. 

Prayer: Lord, you are the creator. You made it all and simply because of that I praise and honor You. I give you the glory. Everything I see in my life is authored by You. You did not make it beautiful, but You created it and it is beautiful. We plant and we place trees and grass where we like it but you are the source of this creation. We do the same with humans, but You are the one that made us and formed us and designed us. We cannot exist apart from You. We live in this culture trying to often redefine based upon what they think is best, and yet it all begins with You. Even in this gender confusion world, people want to be something you created. There is male and there is female because of You. May we go to You to define our world and our life. 

Exodus 33:17-23 - God's Consuming Glory

Exodus 33:17-23

17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” 19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”

Message: God's Consuming Glory

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas. 

What the Lord is Saying: The context of today's passage is following Israel's idolatry with the golden calf, Moses asks the Lord to not destroy Israel. The Lord assures Moses of this because of the favor of Moses. And then Moses asks the Lord, "I pray You, show me Your glory!" 

It is interesting the confidence Moses had in the Lord to even ask this question. It reminds me that sometimes we need a sign or some sort of confirmation from the Lord that He is with us, that He is near. Despite everything that God does in saving us and redeeming us and continuing to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9), we still look to see a sign from Him. And for Moses, his request was for His glory to be seen. 

In verse 19, the Lord responds to Moses, by telling Him the who He is. He is a God that will be good to Moses and his people. His name will be proclaimed. He will be gracious. And he will show compassion. But who He is gracious towards and has compassion towards, well that is up to Him. I know as humans this can be a struggle because we are ingrained in us the belief that God's favor is based upon our good works. God does want our obedience and we should be a people of obedience, but His favor and compassion is by His free gift. It is not earned. It is not us to figure out why or how. It is us to accept and be obedient. But I also don't think it is arbitrary or without any reason. For this would not be congruent with who God is as God, that it would be random. 

What we do find here is God answering Moses' prayer. And so we need to keep praying for His favor. We need to keep asking. 

In this passage, God shows Moses himself. He asks for His glory and His glory is what He receives, but that glory is not direct, but indirect. And we know that from the language. God is spirit and has not a body, like men. And so the reference to face and back is anthropomorphic. The face would be God's direct glory, while the back would be indirect. Same glory but Moses saw it was different. No one can see God and live, so what Moses got was his back or indirect glory. 

Hebrews 12:29, "for our God is a consuming fire." We cannot see God directly right now because of our sin. 33:20, "But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” One day we will be like Him: I John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." We must wait till we are fully renewed. 

Summary: God's glory is a consuming fire which means we cannot see it until we are in heaven, like Him, without sin. 

Promise: God is not to be trifled with. He is the holy Lord of the universe and He should be treated with the deference and honor that He deserves. 

Prayer: Lord, you are indeed Glory and Your Glory is a consuming fire that I have complete reverence for. You are personal to me but we cannot see You because you are perfect and pure and with the sin in me, I cannot see you and live. Yet, you promise that One day I will be with you and behold You and all life will be answered. For now, I trust in You. I desire to be faithful. I will fail. And thank You God for not giving up on me and giving me the assurance that you still accept me. Thank you for this lesson today and helping me to understand You. 

Psalm 105:3 - God's Glory and Our Joy

Psalm 105:3 - Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.

Message: God's Glory and Our Joy

Time: Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, with multiple authors. David wrote 73 Psalms, though for 50 or so the author is unknown. Psalms means songs of praise. The writings span 1,000 years. They encourage us to praise God, illuminate the greatness of God, affirm His faithfulness in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. 

What the Lord is Saying: I have studied thus far in these lessons that the highest aim of life is the Glory of God. Everything God does is for His own glory and we are to seek His glory therefore in all we do as His servants. His glory is seen as bright, shining brightly, light. There is a divine beauty inherent in His glory that God shines on us, clothing us in perfect righteousness. His Glory is what we are to value above all else. There is holiness and purity and light in His holiness and this is seen in Jesus as well, the Light of the World, our Redeemer. And God is in control, establishing control and His glory over all. 

And as we deflect away from us and onto the Lord, to Glory in His name, this focus and emphasis in our life will bring us gladness and joy. That is the message of today. Glory in His name....be glad. As Jonathan Edwards stated in his book, "The End for which God Created the World" by the Lord seeking to display the fulness of His glory, the Lord is at the same time seeking our joy. 

I must admit that most of my days I get wrapped up in my own joy, pleasing myself, finding happiness in each day. At the moment, and for most of my marriage, my joy is in my wife - seeing her, watching her find joy, providing for our kids, spending time with her. But I also know that as I spend time daily with the Lord, getting to know Him and then also serving those He puts in my contact, that idea of helping people gives me joy. Even at work, the notion of helping people gives me joy. So in many ways to be a servant of others is what brings me joy. I suppose I like to think that since all of this is God's creation that it is also the joy of the Lord. But, Glory, God's glory and praising Him with my life, I am fairly sure this hasn't always been my highest aim. And yet as I read these words, it tells me that it is God's aim. In us living in a way that gives Him glory, it will bring in us joy. 

All that I do in my life is in accordance with His will. And so maybe I am doing this, as I pray - Lord, be glorified in everything I say, in everything I do. But I think my focus needs to be more on God's getting the Glory. For instance, it is important I think to go to church, assemble with other believers and sing songs in our churches, praising our God. In this, we are giving God glory. We are setting aside ourselves and praising His name. Also at church we are setting aside our own goals for the goal of assembling together to read and study God's word. With a desire to know Him and His Word, we are giving Glory to God. And I see now that even in listening to music that honors Him, reading books that honor Him, in all of these things I am giving glory to God. And what is being said today is God's glory brings me gladness. 

And so denying ourselves, while we think this is something great, that we are having to put down what is important to us or relegate it, what God is saying to us is that what I am asking you to trade will actually bring you greater joy and will make you glad. Our greatest joy will be found when we glorify God. 

Summary: Our greatest joy will be found when we glorify God. 

Promise: Only the redeemed, in the presence of the glory of God, will enjoy the fullest human joy possible. 

Prayer: Lord God, you are good. Help me to trade my ideals and goals for the goal of praising You and giving Glory to Your name always. Keep changing me Lord and my focus so that you get the Glory. And not only in my life, but all lives. And there is already glory in what you have done in creating all that we see. You are the bright light, the eternal God who is in control of all, the light of this world, in divine beauty, shining brightly on us, to give us in the process Joy as we glorify Your name. Keep me on that road and keep me involved in ways that Give you Glory. 

Psalm 8 - The Sovereign Glory of God

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Lord,

How majestic is Your name in all the earth,

Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength

Because of Your adversaries,

To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

4 What is man that You take thought of him,

And the son of man that You care for him?

5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,

And You crown him with glory and majesty!

6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen,

And also the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,

Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,

How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Message: The Sovereign Glory of God

Time: Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, with multiple authors. David wrote 73 Psalms, though for 50 or so the author is unknown. Psalms means songs of praise. The writings span 1,000 years. They encourage us to praise God, illuminate the greatness of God, affirm His faithfulness in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. 

What the Lord is Saying: Post tenebras lux is a latin phrase taken from Job17:11-13 which means, "After darkness, light." It was one of the rallying cries of the Reformed Church, the Church body that came about from the Protestant Reformation in 1517. One of the chief tenets of the church was the belief that the Reformers recovered the true gospel from those that had, to that point, brought in man-made doctrines and practices that made human beings responsible for meriting their own salvation or made them a part of the practice of salvation. 

But it can also be looked at as a rediscovery of the glory of God. When salvation shifts from being a shared conversion, perhaps it diminishes the focus on God. I know in my life, more recently, I am discovering more about the Glory of God and life being about Him. All of the gifts people have are the result of Him. God alone is worthy of our praise. God alone. This means man does not get our praise. 

Today's passage from Psalm 8 begins with "Lord, Lord, How Majestic is your name in all the earth." His name is supreme. We sang this song often in church in the 80s when I was growing up. It is a modern day hymn, written in 1981 by Michael W. Smith, one of the pioneers of Contemporary Christian Music. Tabletalk mentions that in this verse, Scripture associates divine sovereignty with divine glory when it says, "You have set your glory above the heavens (ESV Verse 1)." NAS that I read says, "Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!" His Splendor, His Glory. God establishes His glory, His Splendor above the heavens. God establishes Himself. Sovereignty conveys the idea that God is directing all things or God is controlling all things in His creation. Prayer testifies of God's sovereignty because we are acknowledge God is in control. It is the idea that God works out history for His glory. God is the active agent in our lives. 

In the rest of this chapter, God's sovereign continues to be explained as he explains making Man and the role man has in this life - "to rule over the works of Your hands." 

Some other verses that testify of Divine Sovereignty:

I Chronicles 29:11 - Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. - everything in heaven and earth (his creation) is under God's control.

I Thessalonians 2:12 - ...so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. - God calls His people into His kingdom and His glory. 

I Timothy 1:17 - Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. - God receives glory forever. There are man-made kings, but God is the eternal King. The only God. 

Summary: God, in his control, establishes Himself and thereby His glory over everything in heaven and earth (His creation). 

Promise: God is most glorified by us when we ascribe to Him full control over all things, even our salvation. 

Prayer: O Lord, my Lord, how majestic is your name in all of the earth. O Lord, I praise your name.

O Lord, I magnify your name: Prince of Peace, mighty God; O Lord God Almighty. You are over all God. You are supreme. You order and establish our world and everything we see. There is no one but You that reigns. I pray that in all my learning and doing and understanding, this remains at the forefront, that you God are in control. Keep bringing this understanding to me. Help me focus more on You and what You are doing. Thank you for your great love and being over all in our lives. 

John 12:41 - Glory and Purity

John 12:41 - These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him.

Message: Glory and Purity

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: I continue my study of God's glory, how all of life is for His glory. It is a bright, shining light, it is divine, and there is an eternal weight or value to it. There is nothing more important than it. And there are also attributes that we share as humans while also attributes that are set apart. 

In today's verse, Isaiah saw His glory, Jesus' glory. Isaiah, who lived 700 years before Christ. Isaiah 6:1, "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord (Yahweh) sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." Isaiah saw the pre-incarnate Christ. How do we know this? Well, let's follow the process as this is a rather bold statement in John (a book that has many bold statements linking more directly Jesus as God). This is the only time in Scripture in which someone sees Yahweh and Jewish tradition is that Isaiah was put to death in support of Exodus 33:20, "But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”" John connects Isaiah's seeing of God with Isaiah seeing Jesus. In John 12:38, John quotes from Isaiah 53:1, "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" leading him to make the statement in verse 41 referencing Isaiah 6:1. In Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah proclaims the Lord Yahweh whom He saw as Holy -- “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"

As such our lesson today is this, that God's glory is Holy. God's glory is Holy and separate. Holiness is separating from what is common. Isaiah 42:8, "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another." In this context of His salvation, His glory is not to be shared. Glory is connected with God's holiness and in His holiness there is also purity. I John 1:5 mentions, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." Our God is perfectly pure. There is no darkness, no sin in Him at all. God cannot be tempted by evil -- James 1:13 -- Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone."

This is why Jesus came into the World. John 3:19, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil." Jesus, the Light, the pure light, came into the world, to expose people's Sin. Darkness cannot live with Light. Men loved darkness. Men love their evil and their evil ways. Jesus is separate. He is holy. 

And we circle back to Isaiah 6 again and what happens to Isaiah. His sin is atoned for. Isaiah 6:6-7, "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” The only way we see the Lord is through sanctification - Hebrews 12:14, "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."

It is all connected. Scripture connects Jesus with the Lord Yahweh, His holiness, being separate, being pure, with no darkness at all. Only light. Jesus is the Light of the World, exposing the darkness in every person, in order to bring that person before the presence of God. We cannot be with the Lord unless we are sanctified. Bold statements. 

This is the Gospel message. God redeems man in his sinful state, and restores Him to be with God for all eternity. 

Summary: In God's glory is holiness and purity or light. God is light. Jesus is light. Light exposes darkness. Jesus is holy and pure. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We will not love what is holy if God does not make us holy, and in Christ the Lord not only declares us righteous in our justification but He purifies us in our sanctification."

Prayer: Lord God, your scripture is rich. It is powerful and Lord in it you speak life to us and give us understanding of who You are. We have so much to discover in it. It is bold. Help me to be bold in my life to people. Jesus, You are the Light of the World, exposing in us the sin that we love. You are Holy and separate and pure. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 - The Eternal Weight of Glory

2 Corinthians 4:17 - For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.

Message: The Eternal Weight of Glory

Time: The apostle Paul composed this letter near the end of AD 56, possibly in the city of Philippi, after a report from Titus on the church at Corinth. Paul sought to preserve the unity of these believers within their body. Paul also gives us personal insight on himself in this book and how he was reliant on God. 

What the Lord is Saying: The glory of God needs to be the goal of my life. So far I have studied God's glory being about light and beauty. The Hebrew word kabod is translated into the English word "Glory" with a root meaning of "weight" or "heaviness." Today's passage in 2 Corinthians 4:17 mentions "an eternal weight of glory."  Things that are weighed are often things of value. Precious gemstones such as diamonds are weighed to discover their precise weight. 

Genesis 23:16 - Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.

Genesis 24:22 - When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels in gold. 

Weight in these instances help value a commodity. God's glory has a weight that surpasses anything else in existence. He is of infinite value and worth. 

And so when I think of God's glory, it is light, beauty, and also valuable, of great worth. Whatever I value in my life, I take serious and I spend my time on. My wife mentioned yesterday a person that collects automobiles and wants these cars in pristine condition. A garage has been built so he can keep in his possession these cars in a very careful way. They are of great value to him. This is the meaning of the Glory of God, it is to have great value in our lives. Much of our lives is based upon that which we value. I value my wife, my possessions, my time, my family, music, friends -- these are all important to me. As such, God should have even more value in my life. In my life what I value is what I talk about and focus on and take time to be with. God needs to have that same time of priority in my life if I truly value Him in the same way. And so time in His word, praying, being with Him and going to church, to fellowship with others that are doing the same - this is all of great value in my life. 

Summary: The Glory of God is to be of high value in my life and therefore He is what I focus on more than anything else in my life.  

Promise: The amount of time we dedicate to thinking about God's glory and talking to others about it can be an indicator of how worthy we fine Him. 

Prayer: To God be the glory. Lord, I want to make you of highest value in my life Lord. I pray that people know this around me. I pray Lord that you are seen as high value and worth in my life. I pray that my life is lived, and even sufferings that I experience can be necessary and that suffering can also be light in comparison to the great Glory of knowing You. May Your Glory exceed everything else in my life of value. 

Isaiah 28:5 - The Glory of Divine Beauty

Isaiah 28:5

In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown

And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people;

Message: The Glory of Divine Beauty

Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.

What the Lord is Saying: In the previous lesson -- God's divine glory, God's nature as being holy, true, righteous and just is shown to be connected with a bright shining light. Another way to express His Glory is with Divine Beauty. As Isaiah 28:5 mentions, "In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown." 

David speaks of his highest desire to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. 

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord

And to meditate in His temple. - Psalm 27:4

In our previous lesson, I studied communicable attributes and incommunicable attributes and divine beauty is something we seem to share with the Lord and will adorn us as well.  Today's passage mentions, "And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people." There is a beauty that is transferred to God's people, His children. 

In saving us, the Lord adorns us with the robe of the perfect righteousness of Christ --

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. - Isaiah 61:10

-- and yet that beauty is not seen by God's creation completely. There is a light that we are to shine and is, hopefully, evident in the lives of His children, but our beauty is not yet completely seen. 

This is the mesmerizing thing to me about salvation, that the glory of the Lord shines on man and we are seen as glorious. We are in Christ. God sees us not as we are, but as Christ is. 

Romans 10:15 - “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Psalm 96:5-6 - For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Summary: There is a divine beauty that God bestows on His children, clothing me with perfect righteousness. 

Promise: From Matthew Henry, "God will so appear for [His people] by his providence as to make it evident that they have his favor towards them, and that shall be to them a crown of glory; for what greater glory can any people have than for God to acknowledge them as his own? And He will so appear in them, by his grace, as to make it evident that they have his image renewed on them, and that shall be to them a diadem of beauty; for what greater beauty can any person have than the beauty of holiness?"

Prayer: All praise and glory to You God for making me holy and beautiful in your sight. I am a sinner, but I have been saved by Your grace and as such am seen by You as being perfectly righteous and so I remain so grateful to You. Help me to radiate this light and beauty even on this earth, though I know I won't be clearly beautified until I am with You face to face. 

Exodus 34:29-35 - The Light of Glory

Exodus 34:29-35 - 29 It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them to do everything that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take off the veil until he came out; and whenever he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he had been commanded, 35 the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

Message: The Light of Glory

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas. 

What the Lord is Saying: What is most important? For God's glory to be revealed throughout creation. So we should make it our highest goal to exalt the glory of God. 

I notice that Glory is not a word that I use a lot, except in relation to giving God all the Glory. It is interesting to put "Glory" in a search engine and when I do the first 2 items that come up are: it's definition:

a. : praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : renown. b. : worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving. giving glory to God

And the next is a movie called "Glory" from 1989 with Denzel Washington about the Civil War. This is not a word that is mentioned in society. 

In the Bible, what is God's Glory then. Today's passage does not mention the word "glory" but it gives the idea that Moses upon seeing God was hit with a bright, refulgent ('shining brightly') light. After speaking with God his face shone. It is interesting because bright lights or lights often is the way God is portrayed even in movies. And if it isn't light, it is whiteness. 

Psalm 43:3 - O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.

Psalm 57:5 - Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Light is purity and it is fulness. So it points us toward this idea of completeness and reverence. 

Summary: One of the central aspects of divine glory is bright, shining brightly, light.  

Promise: God's glory is not full comprehensible to creatures. We won't ever be able to comprehend God entirely. 

Prayer: God, you are Holy and Your glory is set apart and distinct and bright and full. Give me greater understanding of You.  You are set apart from everything else in creation and your light lets me know. Continue to shine brightly and I pray that You would shine bright in people's lives, opening their eyes to You. 

Isaiah 42:8 - The Primacy of Divine Glory

Isaiah 42:8

I am the Lord, that is My name; 

I will not give My glory to another,

Nor My praise to graven images.

Message: The Primacy of Divine Glory

Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. He wanted to see the nation of Judah return to serving God with humility and love for their neighbors. But he was called to pronounce judgments to on a people offering meaningless sacrifices in the Temple and committing injustices throughout the nation. It provides the most prophetic picture of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.

What the Lord is Saying: Today I begin this last set of studies in a series of studies of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation, on To God Alone Be the Glory. It seems appropriate in my faith journey to do this study because these are thoughts that I have been considering lately, namely that everything in life is for God's glory. Everything is for Him. And in my quest each day to follow I Timothy 4:7-8 to "Train myself for Godliness for physical training is of some value but Godliness has value for all things, both in this life and the life to come," in this desire to train myself for Godliness I am seeing more and more that it His glory that is ultimately what life is about. And yet we live in our world where we are being trained to please self and personal value is the ultimate good. 

Today's lesson begins with the premise that God and man are similar but also different. They share attributes but they also do not share attributes. This can be described as communicable and incommunicable attributes of God. Communicable being attributes that are shared with human beings, incommunicable being attributes that are distinct and cannot be shared with human beings. And so this begins the problem of self-centered man. I am immediately reminded of a song that came out by a group formed by one of my favorite late 80s Christian artists, Steve Taylor, and his group Chagall Guevara and the song, "Play God." The song had a chorus of, "And you still play God, how'd you get so good?" The gall that humans have and continue to have to elevate themselves to a level of playing God. 

Examples of communicable attributes, realizing the list is long, are:

• Spirit
• Personal
• Good 
• Holy
• Love 
• Truthful
• Wise
• Mercy

The idea is that in all of these attributes of God, man has a similar attribute, though it obviously is not as perfect as the attribute of God. For example, in regards to Spirit, John 4;24 says, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The Bible also teaches that we are made in the image of God. Proverbs 20:27 teaches, "The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being." Man possesses a spirit but his spirit is not divine in nature. Our spirit is able to be in prayer with God's Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 6:17 says, "But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit." 

Examples of incommunicable attributes are: 

• Sovereign
• Omnipotent
• Omniscient
• Omnipresent
• Transcendent
• Immanent
• Immutable
• Infinite
• Eternal

Here is the notion that I think we as humans have the most difficulty grasping and accepting at times and that is God is different and we are not God and we do not possess these attributes nor can we. Believing and accepting these attributes sets the believer apart from the non-believer. One notable example for me is Omniscient. God knows everything of the past, present, and future. God knows everything actual and potential. That's a big thought for us. Yes, we learn from the past, but God knows the future and knows the potential of what will happen and that in itself helps Him to orchestrate the events of today. Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." Psalm 139:4, "Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely." So God knows even my thoughts. This knowledge can give us peace that God knows, though we do not, He knows and we can trust Him. 

One more pivotal and supreme communicable attribute of God is His Glory. I Corinthians 12:7 describes man as the glory of God. "A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man." And yet today's verse, Isaiah 42:8 also shows us that God's glory is incommunicable in some respects. This verse and the preceding verses in Isaiah has to do with salvation. In God working salvation for us--His glory will not be shared. In other words, God gets all the glory in our salvation. "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another." 

This is a concept that is often in dispute by many in religion who often thing salvation is shared, God does one part, man another, but in my study and understanding of scripture, it is God alone that gets all the glory in our salvation. It is precious to Him alone. 

As such, the highest aim of everything God does is for His own glory. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) Everything that is done in my life is for His glory. Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Summary: Everything God does is for His Own Glory and to be a true servant of God is to seek His glory.

Promise: There is a glory that belongs to God alone, that existed before all things, and that is the reason for all things. We are called to point our friends and family to that glory by what we say and by what we do. 

Prayer: O Lord, you are to be glorified and I glorify You. Thank you for your perfect way and giving us some of your attributes as well as staying distinct and different from us. Thank you for these truths and helping me understand them. 

TABLETALK - November 2017

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. 

• November - Vocations (March 8, 2023 - June 11, 2023)
• October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 2022)
• August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
• July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
• June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
• May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
• April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
• March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)  
• February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
• January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019). 

The Doctrine of Vocation - As we see, the reformation is a return to scripture, and one area to recover was the idea of the priesthood of all believers and that we can offer spiritual service in every vocation. This is an idea that had been lost or obscured in the medieval church given the idea that spiritual service was restricted. Thus, this months lesson is focused on vocation and this priesthood of all believers. There is still a distinction between the clergy and laity. 

The Priesthood of All Believers

The Old Covenant Priesthood - God has always provided a substitute and a mediator between God and man to reconcile us (Priests, Jesus). Man sins. God provides the way for righteousness. Christ our Mediator - The priests of the old covenant provided a temporary atonement for sin. Christ, one time is the ransom for all. And now man is a mediator for people through prayer.  God's Royal Priesthood - There is no distinction among believers. We are all a chosen race and all set apart as priests to proclaim the excellence of Him. New Covenant Ordained Ministry - Elders and deacons are set apart for specific roles. But those who are not set apart for these roles still are essential members of the church. All are vital, equally. 

The Distinctive roles of Cleary and Laity

The Vocation of Elder - Elders/Bishops/Overseers has specific qualifications or requirements - they are men set apart from society for a specific role of shepherding the flock which may include preaching and teaching. The Vocation of Deacon - Deacons play a vital role in making sure people's basic needs are met. Lay Duties: Obedience - Submit to God-honoring leaders in a way that makes them glad to their jobs. Lay Duties: Teaching, Admonishment, and Thanks - Each person in the church puts on the new person in Christ to learn God's word, teaching, admonishing and giving thanks.  The Vocation of Husbands - Husbands have a nonordained vocation to love their wives, humbling themselves as Christ did towards His church, and serving their wives. The Vocation of Wives - Wives submit to their husbands, as they would submit to the Lord, and conversely the husband is to be the Godly leader. The Vocation of Parents and Children - Children are to obey parents and in the process their life will be better off. Parents are to not provoke their children to anger, setting reasonable expectations for them. Called From Every Vocation - Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. Loving Neighbor Through Vocation - I am to labor diligently in my vocation as to have resources to share with those who cannot meet their own needs. The Mandate to Work - We have a mandate to work, if we are able, and not only work, but to do it to the best of our ability, not lazy, but striving to be the best worker possible. Equipped for Vocation - All good gifts are from God and our aptitudes and abilities to work are a gift from God as well.

Finding God's Will

Searching the Will of God - One thing is clear as we discern the will of God in our lives, we are to be about sanctification, always on the quest to grow in Christ and minister to others. Defining the Will of God - God has two wills in a way - a revealed will or what we can know for the path we walk on and his secret will, what He knows and we can trust Him.  God's Will and Internal Call - God's call on a person's life does not have to only be a call to full-time ministry, but it is also a call for their vocation and to be a full-time lay person. God's Will and the External Call - In determining God's will, in addition to a person identifying for themselves where to serve, leaders and others around them, such as the congregation, also are involved in confirming this call. Finding Your Vocation - God gifts us to work in a certain way, for our good and for the good of others in loving them. - God's Will and Your Spouse - We are to be guided by wisdom and the principles of Scripture in both choosing a vocation and a spouse.

This months articles of faith living

Faithful Servants - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) -Good leaders no longer applauded, but instead self-appointed leaders with lack of integrity; those with courage and convictions despised and it has spread to the church. The role of leaders appointed by God. Leaders need to lead and those under need to submit and imitate them. As Christians we are not to question all authority as all leaders under authority of God and accountable to Him. Leaders are servants first and foremost. One is to be humble manifested by courage, compassion and conviction. Lead by love, not fear. Doesn't have to be liked by everyone. Knows how to delegate, trusts those he delegates, isn't concerned about who gets credit. Knows his shortcomings and sins. Is repentant and forgiving. Ultimately, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus leads us with humility, sacrifice, and joy. 

The Eternal Love of God - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - God's love is holy. It is eternal. He has no beginning and He is self-existent. He is not dependent on anything else. He didn't become loving, but has always been loving. God created the world. He created it good. Then the world was plunged into ruin through the fall of the human race. Then God redeems His people for the rest of history. None of this was a surprise. God knew this would happen. He always had a plan of redemption. God made a covenant of redemption by all 3 members of Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thus, the work of redemption is the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Father covenanted to send the Son and the Son descended to earth to take on a human nature - subject to humiliation, and obedient unto death to redeem His people. The Holy Spirit covenants from Father and Son to apply the work of Christ to God's people. In creation, the Father creates the heaven and the earth through the eternal Son in the power of the Spirit. Thus, creation and redemption are accomplished by the Trinity. What motivates God? His love for the world. He loves His Son and sends His Son to be a propitiation for our sin. We are included because we belong to the Son. He chose us in the Son to be adopted as sons of the Father. Thus, eternal love is rooted and grounded in the Father's love for the Son. We are not by nature children of God, but become children through adoption. Romans is a good explanation of this. In first 7 chapters Paul lets us know we are in the flesh, hostile to God and under his wrath. To be redeemed the Spirit of God must be indwelt in us to become a child of God. "The Spirit bears witness with our spirit." So the Father has a love for Christ and then adopts us into the royal family, being joint heirs with Christ. We are beloved of the Father because Christ is beloved of the Father. We are adopted because of Love. 

Leading with Conviction - R. Albert Mohler Jr. (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - Leaders need to be passionate people who seek truth and have convictions, versus leaders that stand for little and ebb and flow with whatever society deems important at any one time. For Christian’s, our convictions are our beliefs in the truth of the gospel, in Christ, that salvation changes us and everything about who we are. We do not waiver in our convictions based upon the mood or way of people around us. He mentions historical figures that led with a conviction resulting in their death - Justin Martyr and Sir Thomas More. Leadership today is often seen as merely managing. For us our convictions start with the power of God in us and being in Christ with the Holy Spirit guiding our way. I Thessalonians 1:5. for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Leaders in the Church - Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas (Senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC) Those with spiritual gifts, deacons, deaconess, and elders are discussed. Cessationists believe certain gifts are for only true apostles and once deceased, a more normative situation resulted in deacons, elders and pastors. Later books of Timothy and Titus don’t mention these gifts. Deacons, first recognized as their ministry to widows are to be men of integrity. Deacon is not mentioned but the Greek word for serve is diakonesi similar to deacon. Thus their role involves money, food and basic care. Similar in qualification to elder. Deaconess: Phoebe is mentioned as a servant in leadership. Reformed recognize female deacons but not female elders. A difference for elders over deacons is the ability to teach. But that doesn’t mean all teach but it seems to mean that a pastor is one of the elders. Elders can also transcend the local church.

Leaders in the Home - Dr. Tim Witmer (Pastor of St. Stephen Reformed Church in New Holland, PA) - The Bible identifies leaders in the church, government and family. Misunderstandings exist regarding the woman and man’s role in marriage. For wives - primus inter pares means first among equals. Thus not an expression of inferiority. Just as Jesus submitted to the Father in the world. It is God’s plan of order. We are all one in Christ Jesus. Wife’s submission is voluntary. Needs to be the right man. Expression of submission to Christ. 40 words to wives. 115 words to husbands by Paul. Love as Christ loved - that’s our standard. Unconditional- does not change based upon circumstances or looks tomorrow - same each day. Sacrificial so it is selfless serving. And to sanctify his wife and children so they grow in Jesus. This is not natural because we are sinners.

Leading for the Glory of God - Chris Larson (President and CEO of Ligonier Ministries) - Leaders have followers which include future leaders. Our work is done in dependence on the Lord, building up of His church. Consider others more important. Don’t look over shoulders. Think true north. The Lord is our leader.

Following Leaders - Dr. Harry L. Reeder (Senior Pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL) - Good leaders need good followers. Leaders are under assault by Satan. Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God…imitate their faith.” To remember is to hold in esteem and appropriate honor. We will not always be in full agreement but we can be in full support.

Hope-Shaped Living - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - Much of the apathy and immaturity of Christians is from lack of hope. Do we really believe in our heavenly hope? Paul to Colossians stands secure in the Christians hope saying hope is "laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5). Christians struggle believing this applies to them. Paul does not say that faith and love cause hope, but rather hope causes faith and love. This hope has impact. Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). We need to contemplate this hope of heaven and the more we believe it the more the things of this world will not occupy our thoughts. Our hope is there. Don't go along with being caught up in today, focus on the hope of heaven. 

Hope-Filled Evangelism - Melissa Kruger (Women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - Encouraging devotion mentioning how her husband likes to fish and how she likes to garden and how Jesus used these images to talk about evangelism. And for us these are pastimes, First, evangelism is a hopeful endeavor. Placing a hook in the water or a seed in the soil is done with the hope that something will be caught or grow. If anyone has fished they know there is patience that is needed. But we do it with excitement as there is no greater privilege and joy to have people catch on. Second, evangelism is joy. My wife loves gardening and loves to show off what has grown. Even though she does it every year, it remains exciting every time something is produced. In fishing we take pictures often of a catch. Sharing our faith and seeing a soul come alive is no higher joy. The best harvest and Jesus allows us and wants us to be involved. Third, it is necessary. Fishing and gardening often for us in this country is optional or recreation. But in Jesus' day, these were activities that sustained our lives. Without them people did not survive. And so in that vein, it makes sense that Jesus would use these to describe how we interact with people in sharing our faith. How will people believe if no one sows seed or throws a net? How will they find life if no one shares the gospel? 

Spectacular Conversions - Robert Rothwell (Associate editor of Tabletalk magazine) - All conversions are spectacular works of God. We love to hear about radical stories because the exemplify the power of God but God's power is equally at work in ordinary circumstances. "Every conversion is a powerful work of the Spirit to give a heart of flesh to someone who had a heart of stone (Ezek. 36:26). 

The Need for Prayer - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (Editorial director of 9Marks and elder at Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Prayer, the encouragement to do it is what this article is about. I need that encouragement. I love to Study God's word but often always recognize regular praying is often missing from my life. What we pray or don't pray reveals what our hearts want. I like to think that as I mediate on God's word and study it that I am praying and asking God to mold me through the reading and study of His word. I interact with others and think about their situations, but I need to petition more for them. The Book of Acts mentions how the early church prayed together: "devoting themselves to prayer" (1:14, 24, 2:42), "earnest prayer by the church" (12:5), "gathering together" (12:12), commission people for service (13:3). Group prayer was important for this church but also individual prayer is mention by the Apostles (6:4-6), Peter (9:40, 10:9, 11:5), Cornelius (10:2,4), Paul and Silas (16:25, 28:8). And I need to remember that prayers do not need to be long. I can pray for people regularly and those prayers can be brief ("let your words be few" - Eccl. 5:1-2). How often do a go through the day without specifically praying. What foolish self-sufficiency. Yet, I do not depend on myself, but only always depend on Him. 

Becoming a Titus 2 Woman - Susan Hunt (mother and grandmother, author, speak and pastor's wife) - Remembering Titus 2:3-5 - Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. This ministry is to occur in the context of church life and oversight of church leadership. 1 - Submit to the Lord and ecclesiastical authority; 2 - have teachable spirit, feasting on Solid food of God's word to grow in salvation; 3 - Love the covenant family where God has called a woman; 4 - Have a gentle and quiet spirit, eager to share the gospel and our lives with one another; 5 - Invest in others; 6 - Be motivated by gratitude for salvation; 7 - Rest in the gospel to redeem and purify God's people. 

The Danger of Gossip - Rev. Jared C. Wilson (Director of content strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) - "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you" (Proverbs 4:24; ESV). Crooked speech is gossip. Gossip is saying anything about someone that you wouldn't say to them. Even as we pray or talk of prayer requests, our words of concern can border on insinuation or improper speculation. Malice is the desire to do evil. We must be careful in voicing criticism or accusation of another person; it is best to lovingly, gently confront the subject of our concern. Gossip works its way into a church to undermine the unity of the Spirit and Christ's call to love one another. In sharing sins, it often serves as entertainment and stirs up other critical spirits. Paul confronts this with I Timothy 5:13, to beware of "idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not." No self-oriented curiosity. Pride or envy is making oneself look better by comparison. We do this when we hear good things about people we are often in competition with. Peppered often with, "Yeah, but they are...." In conclusion, 1. Don't say anything negative about someone that you wouldn't say to them. 2. Redirect others' gossip with a gentle query about the intent (i.e. "Have you spoken to them about this concern you have?"). 3. Rebuke repeated gossip and discipline unrepentant gossips. - Don't give crooked speech an inch; it will take a mile. Shoot straight with all. 

Globalization and the Christian Mission - Albert Mohler (President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) - Missions may be erupting. It needs to be adapted to our world. Throughout history, most live in cultural and social isolation. Global reality became more prominent in the 19th century. World War I was a turning point as multiple Americans of Irish, Italian and German backgrounds were together fighting together for America. With technology, we can now communicate easily with one another from one side of the world to another. Globalization means we can travel anywhere on the globe within 24 hours. In the year of 1800, only 3 percent lived in cities. Now 75-80% live in cities. Cities is where you meet people different from you. 1.6 billion live in shantytowns or slums; Christians must go to them. America is looking more like a majority-minority nation. From Genesis 1:28 to multiple and fill the earth and subdue it, to Matt. 28:18-20 to go into all the world and make disciples, God commissioned us to have a global perspective long before technology and globalization was a matter of secular awareness. We are to proclaim the name of Jesus in all of the world and to see people of all tribes, tongues, and nations bow the knee to the King. 

William Chalmers Burns -  Dr. Sinclair Ferguson (teaching fellow for Ligonier and chancellor professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary) - William lived from 1815 to 1868, dying at the age of 53, for 2 decades serving as missionary to the Chinese people. He grew up wanting to be a farmer, though later train to be a layer in Edinburgh, growing up in Scotland, first in Dun near Montrose, then Kilsyth, outside Glasgow. Then a calling to ministry and had a special aptitude for language, mastering Hebrew and Greek and becoming fluent in French, Chinese, and Scottish Gaelic. He had a burden for the lost, prayer, and world missions. In 1839 (age 24), he started preaching in Dundee at St. Peter's Church, while the local minister, Robert M'Cheyne, was traveling throughout Europe. However, in between preaching, he spent long time in prayer. He then was present at a person's conversion and this ignited in him further a desire for the lost condition of people. And before you knew it, he was preaching more regularly and many were coming to hear him and come to faith. And this still at age 24. Yet, his ministry had much opposition. He was preacher from 1839 to 1844 before setting sail to Canada for a period of time and then to China for 2 decades.