Bible League: Living His Word Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life will enter the city.— Revelation 21:27 ERV This past year my wife and I had several conversations in which we were astonished to realize that although we thought some event or activity happened a year or so ago, it had actually taken place 3 or 4 years ago. We decided the lost years of COVID were to blame and all the chaos that came with those years. Unfortunately, for far too many people, these past few years have been a time of lost hope—a lost hope for the present as well as for the future. Too many feel that hope has been canceled in their hearts. However, hope has never been and never will be lost or cancelled for the Christian. In Exodus 32:32 we find the first mention of God's book of life. It is a divine ledger of the citizens of the kingdom community—God's people of Israel. The passage speaks also of some who have sinned against God, and there is a blotting out of those names from the book. Such action by God in the erasing of names from the ledger indicates a loss of citizenship and fellowship with God. But the good news is that for those in Christ our citizenship is in heaven, and so we eagerly await the Lord's return from heaven (Philippians 3:20). Our names are written in the divine ledger of heaven known as the Lamb's book of life. I recently heard a pastor liken this truth of becoming and being a Christian to when God cuts a name from the book of life and then pastes it into the Lamb's book of life. Wherein the Old Testament book of life implies privilege and the partaking in temporary blessings from God's kingdom, the Lamb's book of life does not imply, but rather ensures those in Christ of partaking in the present and eternal blessings of God's heavenly kingdom. Such is the blessed faith and hope of the true Christian (Hebrews 11:1). Heaven, not earth, is our hope as believers. Heaven is our victory. As Jesus told us: "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:1-2). Beloved of Christ, putting one's hope in people or in the fleeting things of the world will only lead to lost years and regret for what you could have done for Christ. Instead, let your hope of eternity be your joy. Set your heart above as a heavenly-minded person whose citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven and whose name shall never be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life. By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJeremiah 1, 2 Jeremiah 1 -- The Call of Jeremiah; Almond Rod and Boiling Pot NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Jeremiah 2 -- Judah Forsakes God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Thessalonians 2 2 Thessalonians 2 -- Standing Firm in the Faith NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.Insight God is interested in every part of our lives, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God—emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it! Challenge The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Corinthians 3:1 Babes in Christ.Are you mourning, believer, because you are so weak in the divine life: because your faith is so little, your love so feeble? Cheer up, for you have cause for gratitude. Remember that in some things you are equal to the greatest and most full-grown Christian. You are as much bought with blood as he is. You are as much an adopted child of God as any other believer. An infant is as truly a child of its parents as is the full-grown man. You are as completely justified, for your justification is not a thing of degrees: your little faith has made you clean every whit. You have as much right to the precious things of the covenant as the most advanced believers, for your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself; and your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in him. You are as rich as the richest, if not in enjoyment, yet in real possession. The smallest star that gleams is set in heaven; the faintest ray of light has affinity with the great orb of day. In the family register of glory the small and the great are written with the same pen. You are as dear to your Father's heart as the greatest in the family. Jesus is very tender over you. You are like the smoking flax; a rougher spirit would say, "put out that smoking flax, it fills the room with an offensive odour!" but the smoking flax he will not quench. You are like a bruised reed; and any less tender hand than that of the Chief Musician would tread upon you or throw you away, but he will never break the bruised reed. Instead of being downcast by reason of what you are, you should triumph in Christ. Am I but little in Israel? Yet in Christ I am made to sit in heavenly places. Am I poor in faith? Still in Jesus I am heir of all things. Though "less than nothing I can boast, and vanity confess." Yet, if the root of the matter be in me I will rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the God of my salvation. Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 3:26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.Psalm 76:10 For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself. Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Psalm 130:5,6 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. • My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is a dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from before you, And said, 'Destroy!' Jeremiah 17:7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 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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