Bible League: Living His Word Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?— Romans 2:4 ESV Those who reject God and His way of salvation have it backwards. They think the world is their oyster, and they think they can do whatever they want in it. They think they can live life "my way." The truth, however, is just the opposite. This is God's world, not their world. What counts is not "my way," but "His way." They should accept His existence, His exalted position in the great scheme of things, and get in line with His will and ways. Those who had formerly rejected God should accept His way of salvation in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, many fail to get the point. They fail to realize they should accept Jesus Christ. They assume the world will continue as before, and they assume that they can live their lives as they see fit. Instead of turning to God, instead of getting into a proper relationship to Him by accepting Jesus Christ, they delay, delay, delay, delay. They like to think they are the masters of their own destinies. They fail to see, however, that they are taking something for granted. They are taking God's kindness, forbearance, and patience for granted. By rights, God could have wiped them off the face of the earth a long time ago. A less loving and merciful God would have done just that. After all, why should the Lord of all creation put up with rebellion in His Kingdom? Why should the potter put up with a difficult piece of clay? Eventually, He won't. Eventually, He will judge the earth. Until He does, however, they have time. They have time to repent of their arrogance and rebellion. The riches of God's kindness, forbearance, and patience are meant to give them time and motivation. God didn't have to give them more time, but He did nonetheless. He has given them a window of opportunity that will not remain open forever. If you are one of these people, then take advantage of this opportunity. Turn to God today and accept His way of salvation! Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 13-16 Psalm 13 -- How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 14 -- The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 15 -- David's Psalm of Zion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 16 -- Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 18 Acts 18 -- Paul in Corinth; Third Missionary Journey begins NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”Insight Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show to others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God's eyes. Challenge How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can't return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Exodus 20:25 If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in him alone. Many professors may take warning from this morning's text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Psalm 37:30,31 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice. • The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Acts 4:20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." Psalm 116:10 I believed when I said, "I am greatly afflicted." Mark 10:32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, Romans 10:10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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